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OAK (אלון (al lon))  A tree noted for its great size and strength. That there 

        was confusion even in Bible times concerning the meanings of allon,  

        and elon, ela, is clear from the use of these 3 words in Joshua 24:26, 

        Judges 9:6, and Genesis 35:4. Ela and allon are used at the same time in

        both Isaiah 6:13 and Hosea 4:13, which indicates that they refer to dif-

        ferent trees.   Many scholars have come to feel that ‘allon always meant

        “oak” and that elon, ela, alla, and elim usually mean terebinth.  The 

        most likely location for the “oaks of Mamre” is north of Hebron.   The 

        Aramaic ‘ilan refers to an unusual “tree” of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream 

        symbolic of the Babylonian Empire.

OAK, DIVINER’S.  See Diviner’s Oak.

OAK OF THE PILLAR (אלון מצב (al lon  mats tsab))  A sacred tree at a 

        shrine at Shechem, beside which Abimelech was crowned (Judges 9).  It's 

        probably the same tree mentioned in Genesis 35 and Joshua 24.

OAR  (משוט (mis sot); שיט (sha yeet); שוט (showt), lash [i.e. the water]) 

        Pole-like wooden implement ending with a slightly curved blade, used to 

        propel a boat.   The oar, which seems to have been a later refinement of 

        the paddle, appears in Egypt at an early date.  Before 2000 B.C., the lar-

        ger Nile River boats were rowed by men seated on stools on the deck.  

        All the biblical references to oars and rowing relate to galleys.  Most gal-

        leys before the Christian era had only one tier or bank of oars.  See also 

        Ships and Sailing.

OATHS (שבועה (sheh bow aw); אלה (‘aw law), curse) A society's security

        demands that its members speak the truth in crucial situations and keep  

        their promises in matters of serious import.  The obligation is fortified 

        by holy words and holy acts which create confidence and afford a sense

        of security.

                   The oath was an important part of the cult life of the Hebrew com-

        munity.  The oath as a holy act was properly pronounced in a sacred place

        or administered by a holy person, in contact or connection with holy ob-

        jects.  An oath must be kept, though to one’s hurt; even rash oaths.  The 

        covenant between Isaac and Abimelech was backed by mutual oaths at 

        the sacred well of oaths, Beer-sheba.  The old sanctuaries at Gilgal and 

        Beth-aven were places where oaths were administered and taken.

                   The oath is validated by the invocation of a deity.  The 3rd com-

        mandment forbids the invocation of the Lord’s name for evil intent, which

        would include a false oath, black magic, or the like.  In later times one 

        swore by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, the temple, or one’s own head.  The 

        oath is accompanied by symbolic acts.  The gesture of the oath was to 

        raise the hand toward heaven.  The swearer may lay hold of some sacred 

        and potent object, as the genitals of the patriarch or under his thigh, in 

        view of the importance of the divine gift and attribute of fertility which 

        the male organ symbolized.

                   Sacrifices accompanied the oath in connection with a covenant. 

        The Hebrew idiom for making a covenant is “to cut a covenant with” some-

        one.  In the sacrifices of the covenant the animals were cut in 2, and one or

        both parties passed between the pieces.  This suggests that the oath which

        bound the parties may have stipulated in the conditional curse that the vio-

        lator should be treated like the sacrificial animal.

                   There are two varieties of oaths in the Old Testament.  Shebo’aw 

        has the same root as the sacred number 7 and the verb “to swear.”  In the 

        oath between Abraham & Abimelech, Abraham set apart 7 ewe lambs as a 

        witness that he dug the well.  ‘ala is often translated “oath,” but properly 

        means “curse.”  The oath for the suspected adulteress is termed shebo’aw 

        ‘ala, the “oath of the curse.” The curse's terror is calculated to extract a 

        confession from the guilty.  The curses were written down and the words 

        washed off into the bitter water which the woman was made to drink; thus 

        she took the poison of the curses into her body.

                   In Zechariah 5, the prophet sees a large flying scroll inscribed with

        a comprehensive curse for every thief in the land; it destroys every thief, 

        those who swear falsely, and their houses.  This vision was apparently 

        called forth by the prophet’s suspicion that there were many thieves in the

        land who had taken the oath of innocence falsely.

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                   The full oath includes a conditional curse intended to carry the con-

        viction that the swearer is speaking the truth.  The more serious the issue, 

        the more terrible would be the curses.  Because of the fear which the curse

        induces, the actual content of the curse is ordinarily suppressed.   Since 

        validity of the oath depends ultimately on the deity who sanctions it, the 

        the most common declaration is:  “As the Lord lives.”  The reluctance to 

        pronounce the full oath, with its abundant supply of curses, is from the 

        fear that the words themselves might inflict harm; this led to the suppres-

        sion of the conditional curse.    

                   In a few cases we have the full form of the oath with the elaboration

        of the curse (Numbers 5; Psalms 7 and 137.  The classic example is Job’s 

        apology for his life.  In extremity of desperation and in his anxiety to im-

        press both God and his hearers, Job breaks the taboo and calls down on 

        himself the most terrible curses he can conceive.  In more ancient times it 

        is probable that the families and households of the opposing parties stood 

        behind the principals and gave their support and placed themselves in jeo-

        pardy.  In Deuteronomy 21 the city elders nearest the place where a slain 

        man is found take responsibility for the whole city.

                   Oaths had an important place among the sectarians at Qumran with

        the Essenes before and during New Testament times.  An oath of strict and

        complete allegiance to the law was required of every candidate for mem-

        bership in the order, no doubt accompanied by curses.  According to the 

        New Testament, Jesus’ attitude toward the oath's prevalence in everyday 

        Jewish life was that he urged that all oaths be omitted.   His own use of 

        “Amen, Amen” was something similar to an oath, and goes beyond the sim-

        ple “Yes” & “No” which he recommended. Only when the high priest ad-

        jured him by the living God to say whether he was the Christ, did he give 

        answer.  Peter’s denial at the trial covers all 3 modes of Jewish declaration.

        1st he simply denied, then he denied with an oath; lastly he invoked a 

        curse on himself.

                   See Blessings and Cursings; Covenant; Vows.

OBADIAH (עבדיה, servant of the Lord)    1.  The chief of King Ahab’s house-

        hold and a devout follower of Yahweh (I Kings 18).     2. A descendant of 

        David (I Chronicles 3).     3.  A chief of the tribe of Issachar, and a son of 

        Izrahiah (I Chronicles 7).       4.  A Benjaminite, son Azel (I Chronicles 8 

        and  9).     5. A Levite who was among the first exiles to return.  (I Chroni-

        cles 9).     6. A Gadite chief who joined David’s army and became an offi-

        cer (I Chronicles 12).      7. Ishmaiah's father, one of Zebulun’s chiefs in 

        David’s time (I Chronicles 27)

                   8. One of the princes whom King Jehoshphat sent to teach the 

        “book of law of the Lord” to the people (II Chronicles 17).     9.  A Levite 

        overseer of the temple repairs in King Josiah of Judah's (southern Israel) 

        time ; II Chronicles 34).      10.  One of the priests who accompanied Ezra

        in his return to  Jerusalem and who put his seal to the covenant between 

        the people & God (Ezra 8; Nehemiah 10).      11.  A gatekeeper who guar-

        ded the storehouses of the gates in the days of the high priest Joiakim 

        (Nehemiah 12).

OBADIAH, BOOK OF (עבדיה, servant of the Lord)  A book of prophecy, the 

        shortest in the Old Testament  and the 4th book of the Twelve Minor Pro-

        phets.  It belongs to a literature of anti-Edomite polemic scattered through-

        out the Bible in the books of Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Ma-

        lachi and two other prophets.

                   Israel’s hatred of Edom was unending.  From United Monarchy 

        times, the control of Edom was a fixed policy of the kings of Israel and 

        Judah (northern and southern kingdoms).  The lucrative trade from Ezion-

        geber, the port on the Gulf of Aqabah, passed through Edomite territory.  

        When Jerusalem fell in 597 B.C., Edom exploited Judah’s plight.  The de-

        scription of Edom’s behavior in Obadiah 11-14 is the most definite of all 

        the anti-Edomite oracles.

                   The superscription is brief: “The vision of Obadiah.”  “Thus says 

        the Lord Yahweh,” is awkward and should probably be excised.  The 21 

        verses include: divine judgment on Edom; Edom’s day of treachery; and

        Yahweh’s Day.  From Edom’s lofty dwelling, she is brought down, pil-

        laged, and plundered.  The references are certainly to the future, not to 

        the past.  As Edom has done to Judah, so it shall be done to her.  The clas-

        sical motif of reversal is sounded here:   Jacob's house shall possess 

        Edom’s possessions.

                    Many views have been held regarding the composition of the book.

        The issues involved in reaching a decision on the matter of composition 

        are as follows.  1st, there is the relation of Obadiah 1-10 to Jeremiah 49.  

        It is now generally agreed that the two are parallel, and that the passage in 

        Jeremiah is secondary.  Obadiah is better ordered, more vigorous in style, 

        and more closely knit. 

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                   Second, while it is generally held that verses 11-14 reflect conditions

        after 587 B.C., it is not clear that this is the background for the whole book.

        Thus the unity of Obadiah is quite generally called into question.  In the 1st 

        major section the nations are the divine instrument of judgment, in the 2nd 

        they are its objects; in the 1st section only Edom is punished, in the 2nd 

        the nations also. The 1st section is addressed to Judah; the 2nd to Edom.  

        The motif of Yahweh's Day persists throughout, as does the theme of Esau-

        Edom. In view of all these considerations, it is hazardous to deny the possi-

        bility of an essential unity. 

                   One well-known scholar assigned the book to the 400s. Many join 

        him in believing that the true background was to be discovered in the pres-

        sure of Arab tribes. But there is no clear allusion to an Arab invasion.  If we

        hold to the book’s essential integrity, it comes from the time shortly after 

        587.  Obadiah’s text has been well preserved.  The Masoretic Text does a 

        better job of preservation than the Primary Greek Old Testament.

OBAL (עובל, stripped of foliage)  A son of Joktan, and hence an Arabian 

        group's name.  Abil is a frequent geographic name in Yemen.  On the other

        hand, the other tribes are probably to be located further north.

OBED (עובד, server, worshiper)    1. Boaz and Ruth’s son, Jesse’s father, King 

        David’s grandfather, an ancestor of Jesus.     2. A Judahite (I Chron. 2).     

        3. One of David’s Mighty Men (I Chron. 11).      4. A gatekeeper in Solo-

        mon’s temple (I Chron. 26).      5.  Azariah’s father, a commander in Queen

        Athaliah’s day (II Chronicles 23).

OBED-EDOM (עבד־אדם, servant of Edom)    1.  A Philistine from Gath resi-

        ding between Kiriath-jearim and Jerusalem.  Obed-edom's good fortune du-

        ring the 3 months the ark was in his house convinced David that he should 

        bring the ark into Jerusalem (II Samuel 6; I Chronicles 13 and 15).      

        2.   Keeper of the southern gates of the temple and the storehouse; proba-

        bly a Korahite. 

                   3.  A Levitical musician.  It may be that the gatekeepers of the tem-

        ple took the Philistine Obed-edom as their ancestor & the origin of their 

        name.  Because of their service of the temple, they would naturally be 

        transformed into Levites.  Eventually the guild changed from gatekeepers 

        into a guild of musicians. 

                   4.  Guardian of the sacred vessels of the temple.  He was taken as 

        hostage by Joash of Israel (northern kingdom) after his defeat of Amazaiah

        of Judah [southern kingdom] (II Chronicles 25).  His name does not appear 

        in II Kings 14.

OBEDIENCE (שמע (sheh mah’), hear, obey; akouw (ah koo oh), listen, 

        obey; upakoh (oo pa ko eh), hearken, obey)  In later use either “hear” 

        or “obey” could be used to translate shema.  2 central verses in Judaism 

        are the Shema (Deuternomy 6:4-5).  While the term is used in the Old Tes-

        tament to express such action in ordinary human relationships, it is the re-

        lationship between God and humans which provides proper context for 

        understanding its full meaning.   God’s word not only reveals what God 

        purposes to do, but also points to that action whereby God is already fulfil-

        ling or is about to fulfill his purposes.  Indeed, the one through whom God 

        declares his word is already made participant in his action.

                   To “hear” God’s word involves a single response that can be de-

        scribed from 3 different standpoints.   1st, it is a word which always in-

        volves the physical sense of hearing.  2nd, to understand demands that 

        the hearer respond in faith and trust in God’s word and action.  3rd, such 

        response involves the hearer in obedient action to fulfill God’s intention.  

        To really hear God’s word inevitably involves one in an obedient re-

        sponse in action.  Not to respond is tantamount to unbelief; failing to hear 

        is rebellion or disobedience. 

                   The history of Israel can be treated as the story of Israel’s hearing or

        failure to hear God’s word.   In her early history God speaks to Israel 

        through appointed leaders.   In the prophets God speaks anew to Israel, 

        condemning her rebellion.  One postexilic Judaism's major themes is that 

        Israel had failed to hear Moses and the prophets.   After the prophetic peri-

        od's close the Jews directed  their attention increasingly to the law as the 

        revealed word of God.  

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                   The New Testament presupposes the Old Testament understanding

        of obedience.   Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” and 

        “Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be 

        like a wise man who built his house upon the rock,” with ekoueto (“hear”)

        bearing the meaning of the Old Testament shema.   The sign that the peo-

        ple had heard was repentance and belief in the kingdom’s good news.   

        Jesus didn't see his message as contradicting the obedience called for in 

        the Law.  His own understanding led him to an interpretation of the de-

        mands of the law which conflicted with the interpretation of others.  His 

        word was hard to hear, because only those who had received the king-

        dom’s secret could understand.

                   The earliest Christian community was confident that God had spo-

        ken anew through Jesus Christ. The message’s crucial center was Jesus’ 

        death and resurrection.  Hearing or obedience was the faith-response to 

        the gospel, now understood as God’s decisive word spoken through Jesus’

        death and resurrection.   Hearing or obedience is used in the closest rela-

        tionship to faith, not as 2 distinct acts, but as one and the same response.  

        In the New Testament obedience is understood as faith-response to God’s

        word in Jesus Christ.

                   Whereas Adam and all people sin and are disobedient; Christ alone 

        was truly obedient.  The life of obedience is not to the laws.  It is life lived

        in obedience to the Spirit.   Obedience is both a religious and an ethical 

        term.  This is also true of disobedience, which at one and the same time re-

        fers to faithlessness and to the immoral acts which are its outward signs.

OBEISANCE (השתחוה (he sheh ta khah vaw), bow down; proskunew (pro

        skoo neh oh), do reverence or homage)  In the Old Testament, heshetak-

        havah means to prostrate oneself on the ground as a gesture of worship,

        homage, or submission.   In the New Testament, this Hebrew word is 

        normally translated by proskuneo, “to worship.”  See Worship in New 

        Testament Times.

OBELISK (מצבה (me tsaw baw))  Because of the context, the Hebrew word in

        this passage is interpreted as a reference to the obelisk, a type of sacred 

        monument native to ancient Egypt.  In its normal form the obelisk is a 

        tall slender four-sided stone pillar, gently tapering toward the top.  The 

        obelisk originated in Heliopolis and seems at first to have been associa-

        ted with the principal deity, Atum-Re, the sun-god.  

                    The exact reasons for the association of this type of monument 

        with Atum-Re aren't clear, but the god’s both lived in and rested on the 

        obelisk.  The Egyptians associated it with the rays of the rising sun.   

        Through the constant extensions and merging of deities characteristic of 

        Egyptian religion, the obelisk assumed a variety of uses and a different 

        significance beyond the original one.

OBIL (אוביל, water skins)  An Ishmaelite who was one of the royal stewards of

        the property of King David and had charge of the royal camels.

OBOE.  See Musical Instruments.

OBOTH (אבת, fathers)  A station of the wilderness wanderings of the Israe-

        lites, between Punon and Iyeabarim in Moab.  Since the route of the Is-

        raelites between Punon and the borders of Moab isn't known with cer-

        tainty, the location of Oboth cannot be specific.

OBSOLETE TERMS.  A major reason that there's a Revised Standard Version 

        (RSV) [of the King James Version (KJV)] and a New Revised Standard

        Version  (NRSV) is that there has been a major change in English us-

        age in the last 4 centuries.

                   The KJV contains some words, current in 1611, which have become 

        archaic or obsolete (e.g. albeit, chapiter, emerods, to fray, goodman, boise, 

        neesing, ouches, trow, & wot). More dangerous are the English words 

        which are still in constant use but now convey a different meaning from 

        what they had in 1611.   What were once accurate translations of the He-

        brew and Greek scripture have changed so much as to become mislea-

        ding.  “Prevent” in the KJV means “go ahead of," "precede"; “let” appears

        3 times in the sense of “hinder” or “prevent.” 

                   “Suffer” is used 120 times, evenly split between meaning “undergo”

        or “endure,” and the archaic sense of “let, allow, permit.”  By “conversa-

        tion” the KJV always refers to conduct, behavior, or manner of life.  “Con-

        venient” is applied to what is fitting and proper, rather than to what suits 

        one’s personal ease.   “Every creature of God” means “everything created 

        by God.”

                   Some words are used by the KJV in a good, or at least harmless, 

        sense but now have acquired worse or more violent meanings.  “Base” 

        simply means “humble”; demanded” means “asked”; and “addicted” is 

        “devoted.”  “Riot” refers to revelry; the feebleminded are simply “faint-

        hearted”; “covet” is earnest desire and zeal; and to “tempt” is to “try” or

        “test.”

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                   Some words that were used by the KJV in a bad sense have now 

        acquired less evil meanings or even good connotations.  “Debate” is lis-

        ted among the characteristics of the depraved mind.  To be “high-min-

        ded” in 1611 was to be proud or haughty; “naughtiness” meant absolute  

        wickedness.

                   “Anon,” “by and by,” “presently,” and “out of hand” mean “imme-

        diately.”   The “outlandish” women who led Solomon astray were simply

        “foreign” women.   A “virtuous woman” means a “good wife.”  The mo-

        dern “all I possess” means my current wealth; the KJV meaning is “all 

        that I have recently gained (i.e. income).”  “Take no thought” means 

        “Don't be anxious”; the word “follow” once meant “imitate.”

                   More pervasive than the appearance of particular words in obsolete 

        meanings, is the archaic usage of prepositions and indefinite pronouns.  

        The most versatile and ambiguous preposition in the KJV is “of ”; it is used

        where we would   now say “by.”  Indefinite pronouns use the masculine 

        form in the Greek, just as we in English often use “he” for people in gene-

        ral.  The KJV uses “no man” and “any man” where the meanings are “no 

        one” or “any one.” 

                   The word “manner” is used 234 times in the KJV, and in more than 

        1/3 of the cases is unnecessary (e.g. “No manner of work” is simply “No 

        work.”).   The adverb “even” is used over 1,000 times in the KJV, and in 

        over 900 of these cases there is no corresponding word in the Hebrew text.

        The translators in 1611 chose to write “even so” for “so,” “even as” for 

        “as,” and “even unto” for “to,” “up to” for “as far as.”  The word “even” 

        was for them a sign of equivalence or identity; it meant that the person or 

        thing or subject referred to in what followed was the same person just refer-

        red to.  The use of “even” in this colorless sense is now obsolete, and it 

        has become a misleading feature of the KJV.

     

    Selected List of Obsolete Terms and Meanings

       Table of Contents—Letter  A:    P.  5;    Letters  B & C:     P.  6;

        Letters  D,  E,  F-Fl :    P.  7;    Letters  Fo-Fu,  G-K,  L-Le: 

        P.    8;      Letters   Li-Lu,   M-O,    P-Pe:     P.  9;     Letters    

        Pl-Pu,     Q-R,     S-So:     P.10;     Letters Sp-Sw,   T-V:     P. 11;

        Letter W:   P.  12         

         

        Term                      Meaning                  Term                 Meaning 

        A                                                        

           abhor                   have contempt         abide                 await   

           abroad                 outside                     addicted            devoted  

           admiration           astonishment            advertise           tell       

           advise thyself      decide                       affect                make much of  

           affections             passions                   affinity              marriage alliance

           after                     according to             again                 back

           allege                   prove                        allow                 approve  

           all to brake           crushed                    amazement      terror  

           amiable                lovely                       ancients            elders    

           and                       if                              angle                 hook 

           anon                     immediately             any thing           any 

           any ways              at all                        apparently         clearly

           appointed             armed                      apprehend         make one’s own

           armholes              armpits                    artillery              weapons

           ask at                   ask of                       assay                 attempt  

           assuaged             subsided                   attain to             reach 

           attendance           attend to                  attire                  headdress, turban

           audience               hearing, ears           avoid                 evade  

           away with             endure

O-5

        Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning

        B

          backside          back                          bands                    bonds    

          bank                mound                       barbarian               foreigner 

          base                 lowly, humble           because                 in order that

          beside              other than                 bestow                   store 

          bewray            reveal, betray            blow up                  blow   

          book                indictment                 botch                      boils  

          bottle               wineskin                    bowels                   affection   

          breaking up     breaking in                broided                   braided       

          bruit                 rumor                        bunch                     hump      

          bursting           fragments                  but                          except  

          by                    against                       by and by               immediately

          by that             before                        by the space of       for 

                

        Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning 
    C                                      

            cabin              cell                           captivity                captives

            careful            anxious                    carefully                eagerly
       careless         free from care          carelessly              securely  
       carriage          baggage                  cast                       castoff 
       cast                consider                   cast about             turned about 
       castaway       disqualified               ceiled                     paneled 
       certify            make known to         challenge               say   
       chambering   debauchery              chapman                trader    
       chargeable    burdensome             charged                  burdened
       charger           platter                      charges                  expense 
       charity            love                          check                     disapproval 
       churl              knave                        closet                     room
      clothed upon   further clothed          clouted                   patched 

            clouts             rags                           coasts                    country

            come at          reach                         comely                   fitting

            comfortably    tenderly                     comfortless             desolate  

            commune       discuss                      communicate         share  

            compacted      knit together              compass                march around
       compel           urge                            comprehend          overcome
       concupiscence    lust                        condescend            associate
       confection      blended incense         confectionaries      perfumers
       confidences    trusted people            confound               shame     
       confusion        disgrace                     conscience            consciousness 
       consist            hold together              consort with           join

            constant          resolute                       constantly             confidently

       contain           self-control                  convenient             needful
       not convenient    improper                 were conversant     went
       convince         convict                         corn                       grain   
       corn of wheat    grain of wheat           corrupt                   destroy 
       corruptible      perishable                    cousin                    kinswoman  
       covet              earnestly desire            creature                 creation 
       cumber           used up                        cumbered              distracted
       cumbrance     weight                           cunning                  skill, skillful 

       curious           magical                         curiously                intricately           

O-6

   Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning               

    D   

            daily               all day long              damnable             destructive 
            damnation      judgment                 damned                condemned 
            in danger of    guilty                       darling                   life 

            dearth             famine                     debate                  strife 

            declare           explain                     decline                 depart 

            degree            standing                   degrees               steps 
            delectable       delight in                  delicacies             lustfulness  

                 delicately         cheerfully                 delicates              delicacies  

                 deliciously        lustfully                    demand               ask  

                 denounce        declare                     descry                  spy out 

                 desire              regret                       despite                 malice     

                 despitefully use    abuse                  do despite to        outrage 

                 device             purpose                    devotions              worship objects 

            diet                  allowance                dig up                   plot 
            disallow           reject                       disannul                annul    
            discomfit          rout                          discover               uncover 
            disorderly         idleness                  dispensation         stewardship

            by disposition     as delivered by     dispute                 discuss 
            dissolve doubts   solve problems    divers                    various 
            doctor              teacher                    doctrine                 teaching 
            dote                 become fools           doubt                    be perplexed 
            doubtful mind    anxious mind          doubting nothing    no hesitation 
            draught            privy                         draught house     latrine  
            duke                chief                         dure                       endure 
 

        Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning        
          E  
            ear                  plow                         eared, earing        plowed, plowing 
            earnest           guarantee                 edification            upbuilding 
            edify               upbuild                     either                    each               

            either              or                             eminent                 lofty 
            emulation        jealousy                   enable                  give strength
            end                  future                       enlargement         relief 
            ensue              pursue                     entreat                  treat 
            equal               just                           equal                    similar  
            espoused        betrothed                 estate                    council  
            estate              state, condition        every                     each
            evidence         deed                         evidently               clearly
            example          copy                         exceed                  be arrogant
            exchanger        banker                     exercise               train 
            exercise myself   take pains             expect                  wait 

        Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning   

          F-Fl
            fable              myth                          faint                      lose heart 
            fair                 clean                         fame                     report 
            familiars        familiar friends           fan                        winnow    
            fan                 winnowing fork          fanners                 winnowers  
            fashion          model                         fast                       close 
            fat                  vat                              feebleminded       faint-hearted

            fenced            fortified                      fine                       refine    

            fining pot        crucible                      flagons                 raisins

            flood               river                           floor                     threshing floor  

            flux                 dysentery                   

O-7

        Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning

           Fo-Fu

            follow            imitate                       footmen                men on foot    

            for all             although                   for because           because    

            forecast         devise

             forepart          bow                         foreship                 bow

            foretell           warn                         for that                  because

            for to              to                              forward                 eager

            forwardness    readiness                fowl                       birds

            fray                frighten                     freely                     without pay 
       froward          perverse                   furniture                saddle

  

        Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning

           G

             gainsay          contradict                 gender                  bear children

              generation    brood                        glass                     mirror

              go about       seek                          go aside                go astray

              go beyond     transgress                go to                     come

              governor       pilot                           grace                   favor

              grief              vexation                    grieve                  attack

              grudge          grumble                    be guilty of           deserve

 

         Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning    

           H

              hale              drag                          halt                        lame

              hardly           it is hard for              hardness                suffering

              harness        armor                        headstone             top stone

              heady           reckless                    on heaps               in ruins

              heavily          in mourning              heaviness              anxiety

              heavy           resentful                    herb                       plant  
         high              haughty                    highminded            proud  
         his                its                              hitherto                  thus far 
         hold              stronghold                hold peace at         say nothing to
         honest           honorable                honestly                 suitably 
         honourable    held in honor           hough                     hamstring  
         howbeit         nevertheless            how that                 that 
         husbandman    farmer                   husbandry              field  

        Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning

           I   
       if so be          if                               illuminated            enlightened
       imagination    stubbornness          imagine                 propose    
       impart            share                       implead                 accuse  
       impotent        crippled                    incontinent            unprincipled 
       inquisition      investigation            instant                   urgent  
       instantly         earnestly                 have intelligence    give heed to 
       be intreated    grant entreaty         inward                   intimate  
       inwards          entrails

   Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning

      J      

             jangling         vain discussion         judge                    condemn    

   Term                 Meaning                  
     K   
        kerchief        veil     

   Term                 Meaning                  Term                     Meaning
     L-Le 
        latchet          thong                        laugh on                smile on   
        lay at            reach                        lay away                remove    
        lay from        remove                     lay out                    pay out 
        leasing         lies                            left                         stopped 
        let                 hinder                       lewd                      wicked    
        lewdness      crime    

O-8

   Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning
     Li-Lu  

             light                 reckless
        light                 window                   light bread              worthless food
        lightly              easily                      lightness                 recklessness  
        liketh him        pleases him            in good liking          strong 
        worse liking    poorer condition      limit                         set   
        list                    choose, will            lively                      living 
        lover                 friend                     lucre                       gain   
        lunatick            epileptic                  lust after                desire                   

   Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

     M  
        mad                foolish                     make                      do

        make for         help                         with the manner     in the act 

        man of war     soldier                     mansion                 room  

        mar                 ravage                    master                    teacher 

        maul               war club                  mean                      obscure 

        meat               food                        meat offering          cereal offering 

        meet               fit                            memorial                 memory  

        merchantman    trader                   me thinketh             I think 

        minding           intending                minister                   attendant

        mock              abuse                      moderation             forbearance

        the more part    the majority           mortify                    put to death    
        motions          passions                  munition                 stronghold 
        murrain           plague                     muse                      question   

   Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

     N 
        naughtiness    wickedness             naughty                  bad     

        neesing           sneezing                 nephew                  grandson 
        noisome          deadly                     set at nought          ignore
        nourish            provide for              nursing father         nurse    
        nurture            discipline

        Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

          O                                                    

        observe          keep safe                occupier                 dealer 

        occupy           use                          occupy                   trade 
        occurent         misfortune               odd                        excess

              offence          stumbling block       offend                     cause to sin

              often              frequent                   once                       ever

              open              explain                     ordain                     establish

              order              begin                       or ever                    before

              outgoings       farthest borders      outlandish               foreign

              out of hand    immediately             overcharged           weighed down

              overlive          outlive                     overpass                 know no bounds

              overrun          outrun

 

        Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

          P-Pe

            pap                  breast                      part                        distribute

            in particular     individually               particularly            one by one

            passage          ford                          passengers           those passing by

             pastor              shepherd                 pattern                   copy

      peculiar people    God’s own people     peradventure         perhaps

            persecute        pursue                      persuade              entice

            persuaded       sure                          persuading           trying to convince

O-9

 

         Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

           Pe-Pu             

             pillow              magic band            pitiful                      compassionate

             plagued          stricken                   plain                      quiet

             plead              contend                  possess                take possession of

             post                courier                    power                     forces

             power             have striven            prefer                     advance

             presently        immediately            pressfat                  winevat

             prevent           precede                  prey                        booty

             prick               goad                        printed                   inscribed

             privy to          with knowledge of    profane                  common, ordinary

             profess           declare                    prolong                  delay

             proper            beautiful                   prove                     test  
        provide          foresee                    publican                  tax collector 
        publish           proclaim                  pulse                      vegetables  

             purchase         gain, obtain            purtenance             inner parts  
             put down        depose                    put to                      put forth   

         Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

           Q               

             quarrel             grudge                     question                 discuss 
             quick                alive                         quicken                  make alive

         Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

           R               
             reap down       mow                         rear up                  erect 
             reason              right                         reasoning             argument  
             record              witness                     recover                 cure  

             refrain              restrain                     refuse                   reject  
             rehearse          repeat                       reins                     heart 
             remembrance    maxim                     remove                change 
             repent himself    have compassion    replenish             fill 
             report               repute                       reprobate             refuse   
             require             ask                            resemble              compare
             residue             remnant                    respect persons    be partial
             rid                    rescue                       ringstraked          striped 
             riot                   unprincipled acts      rioting                   reveling 
             riotous              gluttonous                road                      raid  
             room                place 

         Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

           S-So

             safeguard        safekeeping           scall                        itch 
             scrip                bag                         search                    search for
             secure             unsuspecting         seethe                     boil 
             sentence         judgment                set by                     esteemed
             settle               ledge                      sever                   make a distinction
             several            separate                 severally                 individually   
             shambles        meat market           shamefacedness      modesty 
             simple              guileless                sincere                    pure 

             can skill           know how               could skill           were skillful with

             sleight              cunning                 sleight                     cunning

             slime                bitumen                 so as                       so that 

            sober               sensible                 sod                          boiled

             sodden             boiled                    softly                       gently  

             softly               gently                     some                       one    

             sometime(s)    once                      sop                          morsel  

             sore                 hard, plague          sorer                        worse   

             so that             if only                     sottish                     stupid                   

O-10

 

         Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

            Sp-Sw  
              space             while 
              spare              hesitate  at              special                   extraordinary 
              specially        especially                 speed, sped     success, succeeded 
              spend up        devour                     spitefully                shamefully 
              spoil               plunder, make prey    stagger                waver 
              stand to         persist, join in           stand upon             stand beside 
              stay                restrain                    still                         ever
              stoutness       arrogance                strain at                  strain out   
              strait               distress, narrow       straitness              distress  
              strake            streak                        strength                stronghold 
              strike his hand    wave his hand     strike hands           give pledge 
              study             do your best              stuff                       baggage  
              substance      living thing                succour(er)            help(er)   
              such like       such                           suddenly                hastily 
              suffer            let                               to supple               to cleanse
              surely            securely                     surfeiting               dissipation

              swellings      conceit                               

 
          Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

            T                   

              taber upon       beat                        table                       tablet

              tablet               armlet                     take thought           be anxious

              take wrong      suffer wrong            tale                         number

              target               javelin                     tell                          number

              temperance     self-control              tempered               mixed

              tempt               test                          temptation             trial

              thankworthy    approved                 tire                         adorn, turban

              to us-ward       toward us                to thee-toward       to you     

              to you-ward     toward you              translate                 transfer

              translation       was taken                true                        honest

              turtle                turtledove                tutor                       guardian

              twain               a second time

 

          Term                   Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

            U

              unawares        without intent           uncomely               not properly

           uncorruptness    integrity                   unction                   anointing
              unjust              dishonest                 unspeakable          inexpressible

              unto                 for, until                   untoward                crooked

              usury               interest

         Term                  Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

            V

              vagabond        wanderer                vain                       worthless

              vanity              futility                      venison                  game

              vex                  wrong                     vile                         lowly

              virtue               power                     vocation                 calling

              void place        threshing floor        volume                   roll       

O-11

  

         Term                  Meaning                 Term                      Meaning

            W

              wait upon      look to                     want                       to be in want

              to us-ward     toward us               to thee-toward         to you

              to you-ward    toward you             waster                    ravager  
        wasting          desolation               wax                         become    
        wealth            good                        wealthy                  at ease      
        went for         was                          when as                 when      
        whether         which                       which                     who     
        whiles            while                        wholesome            gentle 
        willing           desiring have           win                          gain  
        winefat          wine press               wink at                    overlook   
        without          beyond                     witty inventions      discretion
        woe worth     alas for                     work                       produce
        worship         be honored               worthy                    deserve
     would (to) God    would that             wrest                      pervert
         

OCCUPATIONS.   The term “occupation” is rare in the English versions.  Jo-

        seph’s brothers are coached to answer Pharaoh’s inquiry about their occu-

        pation that they are “keepers of cattle.”   In Corinth, Paul stayed with 

        those who had the same occupation as his.

                   Usually the English versions distinguish skilled craftsmen.   House-

        hold occupations included: baking, cooking, dressmaking, rope-making, 

        tent-making, needlework, basketry, pottery, herding cattle, and butchering.  

        The occupations that render personal services were performed by both free

        and slave labor and included:  barber, watchman, physician, midwife, 

        money-changer, and harlot.  The political organization afforded additional 

        occupations: king, prince, ambassador, interpreter, butler, herald, procura-

        tor, tax collector, scribe, soldier, and priest.   Among the religious profes-

        sions were: priest, prophet, sacred prostitute, diviner.

                Miscellaneous occupations included: musician, dancer, mourner, jew-

        eler, sailor, aqueduct builder, trader, well-digger, camel driver, criminal, 

        fisherman, farmer, and miner.   The word “job” is sometimes used in a dero-

        gatory sense, so it is possible that “trade” is so used when Jeremiah com-

        ments on prophets and priests who “ply their trade.”

OCHRAN (עכרן, troubled) The father of Pagiel, who was the leader of Asher in

        the wilderness (Num. 1, 2, 7, 10)

O-12

ODED  (עודד, setting up)    1.  The father of Azariah, prophet of Asa’s time 

        (II Chronicles 15).      2.  A prophet who protested Pekah’s enslavement of 

        Judahites at the time of Ahaz (II Chronicles 28).

ODOR  (ריח, ray kha)  The term “pleasing odor” is used frequently in Leviticus

        and Numbers along with “burnt offering” and “offering by fire.”  Burnt offe-

        rings were a prominent part of the sacrificial system and were performed

        formed at the morning and evening services.  The “pleasing odors” from 

        them were popularly understood as sustenance for deity and as being plea-

        sing to God and influential in gaining forgiveness.    A schedule of burnt 

        offerings was set forth as a part of the revelation to Moses.  Ezekiel fore-

        warned his people of their impending downfall, because of their careless 

        offering of “pleasing odor to all their idols.”  In postexilic Judaism it was a 

        common belief that Israel’s future security depended on these cultic

        injunctions.

OFFERING FOR THE SAINTS.  An offering which Paul collected for the poor of 

        the Jerusalem church and took to that city toward the end of his career.  It 

        was particularly needed by a large proportion of the Jerusalem Christians 

        in the apostolic age.  The Jerusalem church had many Galilean Christians  

        and dependent widows to support.  The surrender of possessions by indivi-

        dual Christians gave only temporary help.

                  The church at Antioch in Syria sent a gift to aid when famine struck.

        For Paul such aid was a way in which Jewish & Gentile Christians could 

        be brought closer in sympathy and friendship.  It is clear that Paul didn't 

        feel free to turn to work in the West until he had gathered a collection in 

        his Gentile churches and had taken it to Jerusalem, even though he knew 

        he was risking his life.                    

OFFICER (שטרים (shaw tar eem), overseer, magistrate; שרים (saw reem), 

        princes; שלשים (shaw lay sheem), [officer of the] third rank; סרים 

        (saw reem), courtier, eunuch; נצב (nee tsawb); פקד (paw kad),  over-

        seer;  praktwr (prak tor), debt collector, jailor; uphrethV (oo peh

        ret es), minister, attendant, servant)   A servant or minister of the king, the 

        army, the temple, or the synagogue.  The Hebrew and Greek words trans-

        lated by “officer” are not narrowly defined. 

                     Shatarim were subordinate officers in Israel. They were taskmas-

            ters  and overseers in Egypt; they conveyed orders and were adjutants 

            in wartime.

                     Sarim (beginning with Hebrew letter shin) were most often prin-

            ces.

                     Shalashim were originally the leaders of a chariot team of 3. It 

            was later used for officers of the guard.

                     Sarim (beginning with the Hebrew letter samekh) began as eu-

            nuch  and came to mean king’s confidant.

                     Nitsab was the appointed deputy.  The term was also used for

            all of Solomon’s officers.

                     Paqad was the root-word for words used to indicate everything 

            from military officers to king’s officers to temple officials and guards.

                     The Greek words praktor and uperetes are used by Luke and 

            Matthew respectively for prison guards.  John used upretes to desig-

            nate deputies or bailiffs of the chief priests and Sanhedrin sent against 

            Jesus.  The apostles are also sought out by these representatives of 

            the council. 

                       

OFFSET (מגרעה (me geh raw ‘aw)) Ledge formed on a wall by decreasing its

        width.   The beams of the second and third stories of Solomon’s temple 

        rested on offsets, so that they would not penetrate the wall of the sacred 

        structure.

OG  (עג, long-necked, gigantic)  Giant king of the land of Bashan, north of the 

        River Jabbok, whose territory was occupied by the Manasseh tribe. Og is

        remembered in Israelite tradition as legendary figure, a member of the 

        race of giants, whose immense iron bedstead was on exhibition in Rab-

        bath-ammon long after his death.  This legend was probably inspired by 

        a basalt monument. 

                   During the 1300s B.C. city-states controlled this region, but it is pos-

        sible at some time in the next two centuries a King Og of Ashtaroth ruled 

        the land of Bashan.  Israelite control of Bashan was always tenuous and 

        disputed from time to time by the Aramean state of Damascus.

OHAD (אחד, possibly portion)  Son of Simeon (Genesis 46).  The name is 

        lacking in the parallel lists of Numbers 26 and I Chronicles 4.

O-13

OHEL (אהל, tent, tabernacle, dwelling) A descendant of King David; perhaps a

        son of Meshullam, son of Zerubbabel (I Chronicles 3).

OHOLAH (אהלה, her tent)  A name which refers to Samaria.  Doubtless the 

        expression was some connection with the tabernacle or tent of meeting.  

        Oholah and Oholibah are described as sisters of 1 mother.  Oholah played

        the harlot with the Assyrians, wantonly adopting both their habits and 

        dress.   Yahweh delivered this woman into the hands of the Assyrians, 

        among whom she became a byword.  This was how Ezekiel described Sa-     maria's and Jerusalem's sordid history, both of whom lacked loyalty to 

        God.  For such lewd conduct as idolatry and false worship Yahweh pro-

        mised utter destruction.

OHLIAB (אהליאב, tent of the (divine?) father)  A Danite, son of Ahisamach, 

        appointed with Bezalel to make the tabernacle and its equipment.

OHOLIBAH (אחליאבה, my tent is in her)  See Oholah.

OHOLIBAMAH (אחליבמה, tent of the high place)  1. Wife of Esau and daugh-

        ter of Anah (Genesis 36).

        2.  An Edomite clan chief (Genesis 36; I Chronicles 1)

OHRMAZD.  Middle Persian form of Ahura-Mazda.

OIL (שמן כתית (sheh men  kaw teet), beaten or pure oil)  Oil was considered

        to be one of the necessities of life in biblical times.  Naturally it was consi-

        dered to be a gift from Yahweh.  Grain, oil, and wine are expressions of 

        Yahweh’s goodness.   Correspondingly, grain, oil, and wine will be taken 

        away because of the nation’s disobedience.  In New Testament times, oil 

        is mentioned as part of the cargo of Babylon alongside gold, silver, jewels, 

        ivory, marble, spices, wine, fine flour, etc.

                   Whereas sesame oil was widely used in Mesopotamia, Palestinian 

        oil was prepared from olives.  “Oil of myrrh” is mentioned as an aid to 

        beauty.   As for the olives used in making oil, certain varieties were pre-

        ferred above others.  The olives were harvested in September and October,

        and those from a good tree could be expected to yield from 10 to 15 gal-

        lons of oil each year.

                   In Old Testament times the olives were crushed in a mortar or in a 

        rockhewn press.  The olives were picked before they were quite ripe, and

        the best fruit was either trodden out with the feet, or crushed with a large 

        stone.  In the first stage the pulp was transferred to wicker baskets, which

        acted as strainers.  The top layer was skimmed off and was called shemeh 

        katit, “beaten” or “pure oil.”  In the second stage the olive pulp was heated

        and again put into the vat.  Pressure was applied by stones pressed down 

        by a large beam.  The resulting oil was allowed to stand until the sediment

        had subsided.

                   Curiously enough, there are relatively few references to oil as a 

        foodstuff in the Bible.  Perhaps the most frequent use of oil mentioned in 

        the Bible is that of anointing.  Oil was used to anoint kings, priests, pro-

        phets and even the shield of a warrior.  It was also a sign of honor when a 

        individual anoints his neighbor.  The use of oil was a part of the continual

        burnt offering.  Oil was also the chief fuel for lamps.

                   Finally, oil was widely used in healing.  It had the effect of softe-

        ning the wound, but may also have been regarded as a symbol of God’s 

        protection.  In view of its various uses, it is natural that oil would occur in

        lists of exports from Palestine.  Furthermore, oil was naturally a part of 

        the internal commerce of the nation.  Since God provides oil for his peo-

        ple, its possession is a symbol of prosperity.  Elsewhere the persuasive 

        power of an enemy’s words is compared to the softness of oil.

OIL TREE (עץ שמן (‘eats  sheh men))  The wood of this tree was used for the

        carved cherubim in the temple, and its branches for the Feast of Booths.  

        It was included with other trees in a figure of the transformed desert.  The

        variety of translations that the Primary Greek Old Testament uses in diffe-

        rent contexts is an indication of early confusion about the tree’s identifica-

        tion.  Besides olive, the other possibilities are wild olive, oleaster, and an 

        oil producing conifer.  Thus “oil tree” is probably the best translation for 

        the present.

O-14

OINTMENT (שמן (she men), oil; רקח (ray kakh), perfume; תמרוק (tah meh

        rook), purification, perfumes; muron (my ron), aromatic tree sap)  Anoin-

        ting oil which, in the ancient Near east had many uses.  In Israel olive oil 

        was the chief base of ointments and an ointment in its own right.  To the 

        olive oil various perfumes were added; the raw material was crushed, 

        boiled in oil, and stirred.

                   The great value placed on ointment is shown by the fact that they  

        were included among King Hezekiah’s treasures.  The royal anointing oil

        was carried in a vial for Saul, in a flask for Jehu, or in a “horn” for David

        and Solomon.  The ointment with which Jesus was anointed at Bethany 

        was in an alabaster jar.  Alabaster was the best material for their contai-

        ners.   Many alabaster ointment jars have been found in Egypt and in 

        Palestine.

                   In the dry climate of the Near East anointing is a common practice

        to prevent the skin drying out.  Sweet ointments were also employed by 

        men to be attractive.   At a banquet it was a mark of honor to anoint the 

        head with oil.  Anointing with the oil of gladness was a sign of rejoicing; 

        in times of mourning or sorrow anointing was not done.  Jesus urged that

        during fasts the head be anointed, to avoid any outward parade of piety.

                   Oil was used as a medical ointment for wounds and diseases.   In 

        ancient Egypt several ointments were used in the process of embalming 

        and wrapping a body.  Shields were anointed with oil, probably to make 

        the surface slick to deflect weapons.   Jacob consecrated the stone at Be-

        thel by pouring oil over it.   Aaron and his sons were consecrated as 

        priests with the sacred oil, which wasn't to be used for “ordinary men.”  

        The anointing of a prophet, Elisha, is commanded.  In I Samuel 16, anoin-

        ting with oil is associated with empowerment by the Lord’s Spirit.  In 

        Psalm 133, brotherly unity is said to be as pleasant as sacred oil.  The use

        of anointing oil in the Old Testament makes it an apt symbol of the Holy 

        Spirit in the New Testament.     

OLD GATE  (הישנה שער (sha ‘ar  ha yeh shaw naw))  A gate of Jerusalem, 

        restored by  Nehemiah; perhaps to be read “Gate of the Second Quarter” 

         by substitution of a similar Hebrew word.

OLD TESTAMENT (OT).  The Hebrew Scriptures.  The Primary Greek OT, out

        of reverence for God, translated berith with the Greek word for “testa-

        ment”, rather than “covenant.”  It was changed because in a covenant 

        the 2 parties are equal and discuss terms, while in a testament the au-

        thor is dead and decides all matters.

OT CANON.  See Canon of the Old Testament in the Main Section's Introduc-

        tion.

OT CHRONOLOGY.  See Chronology of the Old Testament in the Introduction

        to the Main Section.

OT LANGUAGE.  The language of the Old Testament is Hebrew.  Certain pas-

        sages in Ezra 4 and 7, Jeremiah 10, and Daniel 2 are in the related Ara-

        maic language.  In the OT there are also words borrowed from other Near 

        Eastern languages.

OT TEXT.  See Text, Old Testament in the Introduction to the Main Section.

OLIVE TREE (זית (zay yith)) The olive tree's importance to the whole Medi-

        terranean area from very early times is witnessed by numerous references

        to it in ancient literature.  Use of the tree and its fruit for food, fuel, light, 

        carpentry, ointments, medicines, etc. touched almost every phase of daily

        life.  Although new stock must be grafted from productive stock, and new

        trees mature very slowly, olive cultivation is simple, requiring only occa-

        sional loosening of the soil.  It grows well in the rocky soil of the Holy 

        Land.  The tree continues to produce heavily (usually every other year) 

        for hundreds of years.

                   The tree may be seen everywhere in the Near East today, but is 

        particularly prominent in the central highlands of Palestine around He-

        bron, Bethlehem, Jifna,  north of Nablus.   Olive oil production was a ma-

        jor industry in biblical times, judging by the number of ancient stone olive 

        presses still to be seen even where orchards no longer grow.  A thick verti-

        cal stone wheel operated by a long pivoted wooden bar, was rolled over 

        the olives on another flat circular stone, grooved to carry the oil to a basin

        at one side.

                   In early Mesopotamian art the olive is sometimes depicted as the

        Tree of Life.  The story of the dove returning to Noah with an olive leaf 

        suggests the symbols of peace and friendship.  Particularly frequent are 

        the references to the tree in allegory, poetic imagery, and symbolism.  Eli-

        phaz eloquently describes the demise of an evil man as a shower of olive 

        blossoms falling in the wind.  Paul’s allegory of the grafting of olive trees,

        although showing little horticultural knowledge, is a forceful presentation 

        of hope for Gentile Christianity.

O-15

OLIVES, MOUNT OF (הר הזיתים (har  ha tsay yeh theem); elaiwn (el ay

        on)) The Mount of Olives is part of the main mountain range which runs

        north-south through central and southern Palestine, and is a ridge about 4

        km long.  It overlooks the Jordan Valley hills to the East and Jerusalem 

        to the West across the Kidron Valley.  

                   The 1^st and highest of 3 high points is northeast of the Old City.  

        It is 810 meters, and is often called Mount Scopus.  The 2^nd summit, due

        east of the temple area, is separated from Scopus by a very slight depres-

        sion, and is called Jebel et-Tur.  The modern high road from Jerusalem to

        Jericho cuts the mountain crest between Jebel et-Tur and the 3^rd summit, 

        called in Arabic “Jebel Batn el-Hawa.”  The 3^rd summit is the lowest of 

        the 3 and overlooks Jerusalem to the south of the temple area.  The entire 

        mountain was named for its olive groves.

                   The Mount of Olives is mentioned twice in the Old Testament 

        (OT).  David fled Absalom’s revolt and took the path leading over the 

        mountain crest.  The other OT reference to the Mount of Olives is found 

        in Zechariah’s prophecy.  The southern summit of the Mount of Olives 

        is found in Zechariah’s prophecy.  The southern and lowest summit is 

        likely to be identical with the Mount of Corruption.  According to the 

        Talmud, the rite of burning a red heifer to ashes for the preparation of 

        lustral water was performed on the Mount of Olives.

                   The Mount of Olives was the theater of some of Jesus’ activities

        during the last week of his earthly life.  Mount of Olives’ name occurs in

        a series of New Testament (NT) texts relative to Jesus’ triumphal entry 

        into Jerusalem.  It seems that Jesus and his disciples started from Beth-

        any on the Mount of Olives' eastern side.   They proceeded from there 

        to Bethphage, a hamlet somewhere near Jebel et-Tur.  Luke adds that 

        Jesus, coming in sight of Jerusalem from a point on the path that com-

        manded a view of the city, wept over it. 

                   Jesus’ prophecies on Jerusalem's ruin and the passing of this world 

        were delivered on the Mount of Olives.  They echo Zechariah’s words, 

        which contain a reference to the Mount.  There is no telling whether they 

        were actually pronounced on the Mount of Olives.  The Synoptics agree 

        on the fact that, during the week  preceding his arrest, Jesus returned at 

        night to the Mount of Olives.  Where exactly Jesus did spend the nights is 

        not clear; either in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, or in the es-

        tate of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives’ lower slopes.  The episode 

        of the last meeting of Jesus with the disciples, after the Resurrection, 

        when he parted from them and was lifted up, must be localized on or near 

        the Mount Olives. 

                    The 1^st Christian sanctuary built on the Mount is the basilica of 

        Eleona, located above a grotto in which Jesus was believed to have taught,

        and in which he met his disciples before the Ascension.  The construction 

        began in 325 A.D.; the Persians destroyed it in 614.  The Eleona was re-

        placed in the Middle Ages by a chapel. Toward 375, an octagonal church 

        was built on the Ascension’s presumed site, on Jebel et-Tur’s summit. 

                   The localization of Gethsemane on the lower slopes of the Mount,

        right opposite the so-called Golden Gate, is well founded in history.  Exca-

        vations have led to the discovery of 2 churches partly built one on top of 

        the other.  The lower more ancient church, built toward the end of the 300s,

        was destroyed in 614.  The Crusaders took Jerusalem and built a new 

        church, which was later destroyed in the 1300s.  A modern basilica, com-

        pleted in 1924, was erected on the foundations of the 300s church.  To the 

        north and at a lower level, a church had been built about 455 over Mary's 

        tomb; it was destroyed by the Persians.  Since the 1300s, the place where 

        Jesus wept over the city is marked by a little chapel.

OLYMPAS (OlumpaV)  A Christian to whom a greeting is sent.  He may have 

        been a son of Philogus and Julia.

OMAR  (אומר, eloquent)  An Edomite clan chief, the second son of Eliphaz 

        (Genesis 36; I Chronicles 1).

OMEGA (w)  The last letter of the Greek alphabet; used symbolically to indicate

        the end, but it never appears thus apart from its opposite Alpha.

OMEN (נחשים (na kha sheem), enchantments; ינחשן (ya na kha shoo), 

        watching for omen;אתות  ('oh tote), warning, portent; Shmeion (seh may

        on), sign)   Any fact, or event which portends good or evil; any foreboding 

        or augury of good or evil to come.  The connotation of the word “omen” as

        a sign or portent is intended in I Kings 20.  According to this passage, the 

        servants of Ben-hadad, the defeated king of Syria, came to Ahab of Israel 

        in order to seek guarantees for the life of their king.  Ahab’s use of the word

        “brother” with reference to Ben-hadad must have seemed a very good 

         omen to them.

O-16

                    In what may be a late introduction to Balaam’s 3rd prophecy, point

        is made of the fact that Balaam doesn't go “to meet with omens.”  Balaam

        is taken up in a state of ecstasy; he “hears the words of God” and “sees 

        the vision of the Almighty.”  There are in the third prophecy no prepara-

        tory omens for the divine communication as he had experienced during 

        his journey.  Throughout the story the foreign prophet refuses to speak or 

        act except as he is directed by signs and omens from the God of Israel.  

        In Isaiah 44, the reference would seem to be to soothsayers, possibly the 

        priestly ones of the Babylonian cults.  Since the future is under the con-

        trol of the God of Israel, such devotees of foreign deities can only pro-

        claim foolishness.

                   An undue concern for signs and omens in expectation of the end 

        of this age, seemed to Jesus of Nazareth to be prevalent in his time.  Paul

        suggested to the Philippians that the very quality of their witness would 

        be an omen to their antagonists.  His friends at Philippi were to under-

        stand that a witness so borne is the mark of the Christian life and the sign

        of salvation.

OMER  (ﬠמﬧ)  A measure equal to tent of an ephah (two dry quarts).

OMRI ( עמרי , servant of the Lord)    1.  A Benjaminite, a son of Becher 

        (I Chronicles 7)      2.  One of the descendants of Judah; the son of Imri 

        (I Chronicles 9)      3.  Son of Michael, and chief officer over the tribe of 

        Issachar in King David’s time (I Chronicles 27)

OMRI, KING  ( עמרי, servant of the Lord)  King of Israel (Northern Kingdom)

        around 876-869 B.C.; successor of Zimri; founder of the Omride Dynasty. 

                   The sources contain confusing and contradictory statements regar-

        ding the length of Omri’s reign.  Zimri came to the throne in the 27^th year 

        of Asa.  This would seem to indicate a period of 12 years from Asa’s 27^th 

        year to his 38^th.   A state of anarchy prevailed in the country following 

        Elah’s assassination by Zimri.  The army in the field made commander-in-

        chief Omri king.  But another aspirant to the throne appeared in Tibni son

        of Ginath.   The struggle for power continued for 4 or 5 years and ended 

        with Tibni’s death.  Only then was Omri formally acknowledged as king 

        by the people.     The 12 years for Omri’s reign was arrived at by adding 

        the 4 years of civil war to the 8 years of his sole rule.

                   No mention is made of Zimri’s or Omri’s father; they were both 

        probably foreigners, while Tibni was probably from an established Israe-

        lite family.  Omri was a vigorous ruler who demonstrated ability both 

        abroad and at home.  He must be regarded as one of the greatest kings of 

        Israel, despite the brief mention he is given in Kings. The writer of Kings 

        was more interested in religious policy than in political achievements. He

        simply says that “Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, more 

        than all who were before him.”  

                   Under Omri’s strong leadership Israel’s latent power began to 

        make itself felt with Judah.  Friendly relationships were established, and

        eventually there was a marriage between Israel and Judah.   Omri con-

        quered Moab. Details on the famous Moabite Stone include Omri’s name,

        and that Moab endured afflictions for “many years.”  The Israelites occu-

        pied territory just east of the Jordan and north of the Arnon.  Nothing is 

        mentioned about interference from Aram to the north; Israel and Aram 

        were probably equal in strength.

                   Following in the David’s and Solomon’s footsteps, Omri entered into

        an alliance with Phoenicia.  Omri’s son Ahab married Jezebel the daughter 

        of Ethbaal while Phoenicia was at the height of its power, and the alliance 

        resulted in increased facilities for trade. To this period belongs the mer-

        chant class' rise.   The wealth of these merchants stood in sharp contrast to

        the poverty of the majority of people.   Closely allied to this change in Isra-

        el's policy come another strategic move.   Around 870 B.C., Omri trans-

        ferred his capital from Tirzah to Samaria.   The reputation Omri won by his

        achievements is evidenced by the fact that long after his death Samaria 

        was called in the Assyrian records “House of Omri.”

ON  ( און, strength, nothingness)    1.  A Reubenite who rebelled against Moses 

        (Numbers 16).      2.  The Hebrew form of the Egyptian name of Heliopolis,

        City of the Sun.

ONAM ( אונם, strength)    1. Ancestor of a Horite subclan in Edom, 5^th son of

        Shobal (Genesis 36; I Chronicles 1).      2. The father of a Jerahmeelite 

        clan in Judah (I Chronicles 2).

O-17

ONAN (אונן, strong)  Second son of Judah and a Canaanitess.  After the death

        of his older brother Er, Onan refused to accept the obligations of a brother-

        in-law to provide a son for his brother’s line.  Instead, he would spill his 

        semen on the ground.  For his refusal Yahweh slew him.

ONESIMUS  (OnhsimoV) The slave in whose behalf Paul wrote his letter to 

        Philemon.   He is also mentioned in the Letter to the Colossians 4.  His 

        story is that he was the slave of either Philemon or Archippus, that he had

        robbed his master and run away.  The relationship between him and Paul 

        has become like that of father and son.   Paul wishes that he might have 

        kept Onesimus with him because he was useful.  Here Paul plays on the 

        name Onesimus, which in Greek means “useful.  It is Paul’s faith that the 

        freed slave will be received as a beloved brother by his former owner, as 

        the owner’s Christian obligation; he refrains from commanding it.   

                   Onesimus traveled with Tychicus to carry with the letter to the 

        Colossians church, and the Letter to Philemon from the imprisoned Paul 

        to the Colossian Christians.   Both Tychicus and Onesimus are cited as

        “beloved brothers” and are described as faithful in work.  And Onesimus’

        story may be carried further, if he is the Bishop Onesimus who is men-

        tioned in the 100s letter of Ignatius of Antioch.   The same pun on the 

        name Onesimus as appears in the Letter to Philemon occurs here.  The 

        matter of his age at 115 A.D. is a deterrent to some in making this identifi-

        cation, but if Onesimus were young, he would be in his 70s when Ignatius

        wrote.

                   The other identification in question is with Onesiphorus, mentioned

        in II Timothy 1.  It would be a real coincidence that two persons of similar 

        names were both ministering to Paul in prison and giving excellent commu-

        nity service in Ephesus.  The other arguments are complex and this identi-

        fying of Onesimus with Onesiphorus is somewhat more strained than is 

        the case with the Bishop of Ephesus mentioned by Ignatius.  

ONESIPHORUS  (OnhsiforoV)  A Christian from Ephesus who is praised for

        his loyalty and service to Paul and to the church.   Because of the referen-

        ces to the household of Onesiphorus, and not to Onesiphorus personally, 

        one infers that Onesiphorus was either absent or dead. If he were dead, 

        we would have in II Timothy 1 the earliest prayer for the dead.   When 

        Onesiphorus went to Rome, he searched out Paul in prison.   Finally in 

        II Timothy 2, a testimony is paid to Onesiphorus for all the services he 

        had rendered also in Ephesus.

ONION (בצל (beh tsel))  A bulbous vegetable of the lily family and one of   

        the foods of Egypt for which the Hebrews longed in the wilderness.  It 

        was a popular food as early as the 1000s B.C.

ONLY BEGOTTEN (monogenhV (mon oh geh nes), unique)  A mistranslation in 

        the King James Version.  Jerome revised the Old Latin translation from

        unicus, “only,” to unigenitus, only begotten,” because of church dogma.

        Jerome was influenced by the theology of Gregory of Nazianzus.  Wil-

        liam Tyndale, the 1st to translate the New Testament from Greek into 

        English, failed to correct Jerome.  The meaning of monogenes in John’s

        writings has great significance for Christology.  John’s distinctive voca-

        bulary reserves yios, “son,” for the Son of God alone, so that in a real 

        sense Jesus is the only Son.  Believers are called tekna, “children.”

ONO  (אונו, strength)  A town of Benjamin near the southern border of the 

        Plan of Sharon some 11km southeast of Joppa. It appears in the Karnak 

        list of Thutmose III & is described in the Mishna as a walled city since 

        Joshua's day.  

                    The village of Kefr ‘Ana in the Wadi Musrara preserves the 

        name of the biblical site, the setting for the intrigues of Sanballat and 

        Geshem against Nehemiah.

ONYCHA (שחלת (sheh khay leth), shell)  An ingredient, most probably from

        the closing flaps of certain mollusks in the mixture to be burned on the altar

        of incense.

ONYX  (שהם (sho ham), sardonyx; ישפה (ya seh feh), jasper; Sardonux

        (sar don eks), sardonyx)  Shoham is acceptable as an offering for the 

        ephod and breast-piece (Exodus 25, 35).  It comprised the engraved

        shoulder pieces of Aaron’s ephod (Exodus 28, 39).  Yasephe is one 

        of the stones in the covering of the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28).  Sar-

        donyx is the fifth stone of the foundation of the wall of the New 

        Jerusalem.

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OPHEL (עפל, swelling, mound, hill )  In several instances, the term “Ophel” 

        applies to a specific mound and becomes a proper name; the name Ophel

        was given to a quarter of ancient Jerusalem.  After the Exile, the temple 

        Nethinim (servants) were quartered on the Ophel, which was the north-

        east portion of the hill on which stood David’s City; they repaired the 

        ruined ramparts.  Various excavations on Jerusalem’s southeastern hill 

        have uncovered parts of the fortifications.  They can be regarded as the 

        last remains of Ophel’s ramparts and towers. In modern archaeological 

        literature, the Ophel’s name is sometimes given to the entire hill. 

OPHIR (אופיר, light fleet) A people descended from Shem through the lineage 

        Arpachad, Shelah, Eber, Joktan.  It is also a region chiefly known for pro-

        duction of fine gold and Almug trees.  Ophir was the source of the 3,000 

        talents (110,000 kg) of fine gold left by David for the temple.  It was also

        the place from which a fleet of Solomon’s ships brought 420 talents

        (14,385 kg) and other precious items to Israel. Jehoshaphat attempted to 

        duplicate Solomon’s expeditions to Ophir, but his ships were broken up 

        at Ezion-geber.  The fame of Ophir’s fine gold is also mentioned in poetic

        and prophetic passages as a symbol of greatest opulence.   

                   The location of Ophir has been much disputed; India, Arabia, and 

        Africa have been suggested.  India is quite unlikely for several reasons, 

        but mainly because trade between the Mediterranean lands and India 

        was controlled by Arab and Indian merchantmen; eastern products were 

        shipped from southern Arabian and East African ports.  Other scholars 

        have sought to locate Ophir in the Arabian Peninsula; virtually every coa-

        stal region from Yemen to the Persian Gulf has been suggested.  All these

        proposed identifications are open to the same geographical objection that

        applies to the Indian identification.

                   2 regions in Africa have been suggested as possible locations for 

        Ophir:  the ruins of ancient Zimbabwe in Southern Zimbabwe and the 

        general vicinity of Somaliland.  The 2nd with the addition of the neigh-

        boring coast of southern Arabia is the most probable identification of 

        Ophir as yet proposed.  Ophir’s products are the same as those of the 

        Egyptian Punt.  It is therefore likely that Ophir and Punt were in the same

        general region and possibly the same place.  The Egyptian voyage to 

        Ophir required 3 years beginning in late autumn of 1 year, call at Ophir

        and possibly other ports and return to Ezion-geber in the spring of the 

        third year.

OPHNI  (עפני)  A town in the territory allotted to Benjamin, the north central

        district of the territory.  The Gophna of the Jewish historian Josephus is 

        one possibility for the site, located about 4.8 northwest of Bethel. 

        Gophna was 2nd in importance only to Jerusalem.

OPHRAH (עפרה, female fawn)    1.  A son of Meonothai and descendant of

        Judah through Kenaz and Othniel.  

                   2. One of the cities allotted to Benjamin in the hill country to the 

        northeast Jerusalem.  The site is also associated with 1 of the 3 raiding 

        parties dispatched from the Philistine camp at Michmash.  Ophrah is 

        probably identical with the Ephron of II Chronicles 13, the Ephraim of 

        II Samuel 13 and John 11.  Jerome equates the ancient site with Ephraim

        and locates it 5 Roman miles east of Bethel; it is probably 8 km north of 

        ancient Michmash and 6.4 km northeast of Bethel. 

                   3.  A town in Manasseh’s territory, belonging to the clan of Abiezer.

        It was Gideon’s home where he both experienced the oppression of the 

        Midianites and received the divine commission.  Here Gideon died and 

        was buried in the family sepulcher and here Abimelech slew 70 of his 

        brothers.  The geographical situation of Ophrah of Abiezer remains uncer-

        tain.  Several rather widely separated sites have been suggested for its lo-

        cation.  No one of them has sufficient evidence to encourage confidence 

        in its identification with Ophrah.    

ORACLE (נאם (neh ‘oom), declaration; משא (ma shaw), saying, declara-

        tion) An introductory formula to a divinely inspired message.   

ORCHARD (פרדם (pa reh dame), garden, park; גנה (gan naw), garden)

        Olive, pomegranate, or nut tree collectively; also, a park or garden.

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ORDINANCE (משפט (mish pat), judgment; חקה (khoo kaw), law) Mishpat

         is one of the most significant Old Testament Hebrew words.  It is derived 

        from a Semitic root meaning “to decide,” and originally describes a local-

        judge’s decision in civil cases.  The Hebrew word khuqah is derived from 

        a verb which means “inscribe” or “engrave.”  Mishpat is frequently trans-

        lated “ordinance” when the particular law is intended.  Memories of an-

        cient secular statutes and ordinances established for the social order are 

        found in Gen. 47 and I Sam. 30.

                   In Deuteronomy’s theology a variety of terms for “law” are used 

        quite synonymously for the law of God: “statutes and ordinances”; sta-

        tutes, commandments, ordinances, testimonies; and statutes, ordinances,

         . . . all this law.”  The ordinances are grounded in God’s vital command, 

        based upon God’s gracious activity.  The purpose of obedience is clearly 

        to keep Covenant with God in order that God’s covenant promises may be

        fulfilled.  Several Psalms employ “ordinance” and “statute” in a typically 

        Deuteronomic way.  In cult language kemishpat, “according to the ordi-

        nance,” becomes a technical term for fulfilling priestly prescriptions.  

ORDINATION, RAM OF (איל מלאים (ah yeel  me lo ‘eem), ram of  con-

        secration)  The animal sacrificed in connection with the ordination of the 

        Aaronic priesthood in Exodus 29.

ORE (אבן (‘eh ben), stone)  The rock from which metals are obtained (Job 28).

OREB AND ZEEB (עורב, raven; זאב, wolf)  Two Midianite princes who were 

        captured and put to death by the Ephraimites after Gideon’s surprise at-

        tack routed their forces (Judges 7-8).

                   After 7 years of subjugation to the devastating camel raids of 

        Arabian bands, Gideon led chosen followers in a successful attack 

        against Midianites by the Hill of Moreh.  The Ephraimites cut off the 

        retreat of the enemy to the East, seized Oreb and Zeeb, and promptly 

        executed them.  It is not clear whether these leaders bequeathed their 

        names to the place where they were slain or whether place-name gave

        rise to the names of the princes, who weren't named in the original text.

        The heads of these enemy leaders were presented to Gideaon.  The ex-

        ecution of Oreb and Zeeb became proverbial in Israel’s thought.

OREN (און, power, strength)  A descendant of Judah, and one of the sons of 

        Jerahmeel (I Chronicles 2).

ORGIES (המון (haw moan), noise, multitude)  “Orgies on the mountains” pro-

        bably refers to the fertility rites of West Semitic religions of the Judah of the

        late 600s B.C.  Frenzied revelry, sexual license, and hysterical or “ecstatic” 

        religious experience were a part of Canaanite religion from the earliest 

        times.

ORIENTATION (קדים (keh deem), front, east; אחור (‘aw khor), rear, west; 

         שמול (seh mole), left, north;   ימין(yaw mean), right, south; ןצפו 

        (tsaw fone), dark quarter, northern region; נגב (neh geb), desert, sou-

        thern region; ים (yawm), sea, western region; מערב שמש מבוא (maw

        bow  sheh mesh  mah ar awb), place of the setting sun, western region).  

        The means of fixing direction.  Several methods of orientation were deve-

        loped before the discovery of the compass.  Basic direction, local geo-

        graphic, and solar are the 3 that the Hebrews were acquainted with.  The 

        Hebrews divided the world into four parts and described the quarters as 

        “corners of the earth”; the rising sun gave the Hebrews their basic direction.

ORIGIN OF THE WORLD.  See World, Origin of.

ORION (כסיל (keh seel), fool) A constellation of stars.  In Job 9, 38, and Amos

        5 it refers to a specific group of stars.  The Primary Greek Old Testament 

        and Latin translation do not always agree on this word. 

                   Classical mythology represents Orion as a man of great strength 

        who at his death was transferred to the heavens, bound to the sky.  4 

        bright stars mark the two shoulders and the two legs of what could be a 

        gigantic warrior; a row of 3 stars suggests his belt.  Another row of stars,

        straight down from the belt, may be his sword.  When this myth is adap-

        ted to Israel’s faith, it becomes a story of taking a short step from trus-

        ting in human strength to foolishness.  The reference of Job 38 may be to

        one who in his foolishness found himself bound by the greater power of 

        God.  In utilizing the myth concerning Orion, Israel confessed the sove-

        reignty of its Lord, even over the heavenly luminaries.   

ORMUZD.  See Ahura-Mazda.

ORPAH (ערפה, fawn) One of the characters in the book of Ruth. She and 

        Ruth, both Moabite women had married Hebrews.  After their husbands 

        died, they set out with their mother-in-law, Naomi, for Bethlehem.  When

        Naomi had told them of the difficulties they would face, Orpah yielded.  

        Her dutiful, but more ordinary obedience contrasts with Ruth’s unlimited

        devotion to Naomi (Ruth 1).

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OSHEA.  King James Version of Hoshea in Numbers 13.  This verse actually 

        refers to Joshua Son of Nun.

OSIRIS.  A principal god of the Egyptian pantheon.  Believed by some to have

        been a deified leader of a prehistoric invasion of nomadic peoples into the 

        Delta from the east, Osiris was the vegetation and regeneration god and 

        became one of ancient Egypt’s most popular and important gods.  The 

        most fundamental tenet of his cult was concerning his death and resurrec-

        tion.  In the Pyramid Texts he has become a god of the dead; it is with 

        him that the deceased king is equated.  He attained international recogni-

        tion during the Greco-Roman period.

OSNAPPAR ( סנפרא ) An Assyrian king said to have brought deported foreign

        peoples to Samaria; often identified with Ashurbanipal.

OSPREY (עזניה (oz nee yaw), sea-eagle) A fairly large fish-eating hawk.  

        The identification of osneyaw of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 is 

        uncertain.  In the 1800s, Tristram pointed out that while the osprey was 

        found in Palestine in his time, such a bird, whose food consists entirely 

        of fish, could never have been very common in that area, he suggested 

        the short-toed eagle or harrier eagle.

OSSIFRAGE (פרם (peh res), osprey) The term used in English to denote:

        bearded vulture; osprey; and giant petrel.  While it is impossible to offer

        a conclusive identification of peres, if the word means “breaker,” it 

        would be a very apt term for the bearded vulture, which has a fondness 

        for tortoises, which it smashes open by repeated droppings from the air.

OSSUARIES.  Small chests used as receptacles for bones after the flesh had

        decayed and the tombs were prepared for new burials.  It is thought that

        a clay ossuary in the Palestine Archaeological Museum in Jerusalem, fa-

        shioned in the form of a miniature house, was used in the Chalcolithic 

        Age (4000-3200 B.C.); more common were the rectangular stone chests.

        Dating from the early Roman period in Palestine, they vary in size from

        about 50 to75 cm in length, 30 to 50 cm in width, and 25 to 40 cm in

        depth.

OSTRACA (חרש (kho rash)) Pottery fragments were commonly used as wri-

        ting material, since they were cheaper than papyrus.  Inscribed with ink, 

        potsherds were widely used for letters, receipts, school texts.   They have 

        provided important information when discovered at Samaria and Lachish.

OSTRICH (בת-היענה bat  ha ya ‘ah naw), daughter of the greedy)  Any of the

        two-toed swiftly running, flightless birds, the largest of the birds, now con-

        fined to Africa and the Near East.  Israel’s law declared this bird to be un-

        clean, presumably because of its eating habits, which were omnivorous.  

        Old Testament references associate this bird with wild creatures and unin-

        habited areas. 

                   Job 39 alludes to the ostrich’s familiar features and  habits, such as 

        the laying of eggs in the sand and leaving them in the daytime for the sun 

        to warm.  The cock bird does most of the incubating, particularly at night.

        The unhatched eggs served as for food for the hatched ones.  The stupidity

        of the ostrich is most in evidence when it is being hunted and is cornered; 

        it often fails to take the evasive action that would save it; but in open ter-

        rain it is very wary.  It is also known for swallowing objects of no value nu-

        tritionally to help in the breaking-up of food.  Its maximum stride is from

        6.6 to 8.5 meters, and its speed was calculated at 41 kph. 

     

OTHNI (עתני, lion of the Lord)  A Levite gatekeeper in the temple; a son of She-

        maiah (I Chronicles 26).

OTHNIEL (עתניאל, lion of God)  The first deliverer or judge of the Israelites 

        mentioned in the book of Judges 3.  Probably the Caleb's nephew, he be-

        came Caleb’s son-in-law as his prize for capturing the city of Debir.  Oth-

        niel rescued Israel from the oppression of its first conqueror, Cushan-

        rishathaim.

                   Othniel was probably the name of a traditional ancestor of a tribe

        related to Caleb.  Othniel is a clan or tribal name in the Chronicler’s list

        of the organization of David’s army.  Apparently Othniel was a younger 

        clan, and Caleb an older southern clan.  This fact may in part account for

        the preservation of the Othniel stories and their place in the book of 

        Judges.  It is likely that this story is to account for the Judean occupancy

        of a city close to Hebron, a Calebite city.  The story of Othniel’s delive-

        rance of Israel from Cushan-rishathaim stands immediately after the Deu-

        teronomic introduction to the book’s heroes.  Because of the Lord’s anger,

        the people suffered for eight years, but in response to their cry “the Lord 

        raised up” the deliverer Othniel.

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                   Othniel's story as judge may be the fiction of the Deuteronomic edi-

        tor to place a Judean hero as first judge, particularly since the other judges 

        were all northerners.  Othniel was probably a historical figure who deli-

        vered the Judean clans, from a powerful foreign ruler from the Upper Eu-

        phrates region into Judah.

OUCHES  ( ותמשבצ (me sheb beh tsoth), jewelry settings for precious stones)

        The King James Version archaism for “jewelry setting.”

OUTCAST (נדח (naw dah))  Most often, the Hebrew equivalents of this word 

        are used to describe the driving out of the Israelites by successive Assyrian

        and Babylonian attacks between the 700s and 500s B.C.

OVEN (תנור (tan nor); klibanoV (klee bah nos))  Modern baking ovens used

        by Palestinian peasants don't differ much from ovens discovered in ancient

        ruins.  They consist of a cylindrical structure of burnt clay, 600 to 900 cm 

        in diameter at the bottom of which a fire is built on a floor of pebbles.  

        Ashes are scooped or swept away, and flat cakes of dough are stuck to

        the inner wall of the oven, or laid to bake on the pebbles.  The tower defen-

        ding the northwest angle of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s time was called 

        “Tower of the Oven.”  The usual fuel burned in the baking ovens was, and 

        still is, dry grass, thorny desert bushes, and dung cakes.

OVENS, TOWERS OF THE (מגדל  התנורים (mig dal  ha ta no reem))  A tower

        in Jerusalem, restored under Nehemiah.  It defended the northwest angle 

        of the city wall close to the Corner Gate.

OVERLAY (צפה (tsaw faw); חפה (khaw faw); perikaluptw (peh rih kah 

        lup toe))  There are references to overlaying parts of the tabernacle with 

        gold of appreciable thickness.  David contributed 3,000 talents (102,000

        kg) of gold and 7,000 talents (238,000 kg) of silver, for overlaying the 

        house of God.

                 In the tabernacle gold was used for overlaying the ark and its poles,

        the table and its poles, 5 pillars of acacia for the entrance screen, 4 pillars

        of acacia for the ark curtain, and the incense altar.  In the temple gold was

        used to overlay the inner sanctuary, the whole house, the altar, the cheru-

        bim, two doors, the ivory throne, and the porch, while bronze was used to

        overlay the doors of the priests' court. 

OVERSEER (פקד (paw kad), to set over; פקיד (paw keed), chief officer; נצח

        (naw tsakh), superintendent; episkopoV  (ep is kop os), inspector, 

        guardian)  A term designating several types of leaders or supervisors of a

        labor gang; Joseph was an overseer.   In Egypt they carried long rods for 

        punishments and were hard taskmasters.  Under David and Solomon the 

        Israelites employed forced labor and overseers.  The leader of the singers 

        after the return from the Exile is called an overseer in the King James Ver-

        sion.  In the New Testament, the elders in Ephesus are overseers of the 

        church.

OWL (כוס (kos), pelican; קפוז (keep poze), arrow-snake)  Any one of a group

        of birds of prey, mostly nocturnal, from small to medium size.  Undoub-

        tedly owls were known in the biblical world; Tristam in the 1800s testifies

        that 8 varieties were found in Palestine.  There is little or no evidence to 

        support the identification of a particular species of owl with any Hebrew 

        word in the Old Testament.  Kos may be the little owl, which is found in 

        the Holy Land; kippoz may be the small screech or scops owl of Pale-

        stine’s ruins and caves.  The barn owl may not have been referred to in the 

        Old Testament.

OX (בקרים (beh kaw reem), oxen; שור (shore))  A large domesticated horned

        animal believed to come from the Wild Ox.  The oxen of biblical Palestine

        were presumably akin to those of Mesopotamia and Egypt. 

                   Oxen pulled wagons and threshing sleds; they were rested on the 

        sabbath.  They usually fed on such grass as was available.  Its dung could

        serve as fuel for cooking.  There were specific regulations regarding oxen

        in Exodus 21 and 22.  

                   Although the ox was a clean animal and could be eaten, it flesh was

        not often eaten.   It was only on special occasions that oxen were slaugh-

        tered. Use of oxen as sacrificial victims was well known in the ancient 

        Near East, and specifically Israel.  Possession of an ox was almost the 

        bare minimum for existence; herds of oxen were the mark of wealth and 

        social position.   The molten sea of Solomon’s temple rested upon the 

        backs of 12 bronze oxen.  Oxen and other animals were often associated 

        with deity in Western Asia.

OZEM  (אצם)  1.  The sixth son of Jesse; therefore the brother of King David 

        (I Chronicles 2).       2.  A descendant of Judah, and the fourth of the 5 

        sons of Jerahmeel (I Chronicles 2).

OZNI (אזני, hearing well)  The ancestor and origin of the name of a clan from

        the tribe of Gad, named in the second census taken by Moses in the 

        wilderness. 

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