Easton's Bible Dictionary



Oak — Ozni


There are six Hebrew words rendered "oak."

1. 'El occurs only in the word El-paran ( Genesis 14:6 ). The LXX. renders by "terebinth." In the plural form this word occurs in Isaiah 1:29 ; 57:5 (A.V. marg. and RSV, "among the oaks"); 61:3 ("trees"). The word properly means strongly, mighty, and hence a strong tree.

2. 'Elah, Genesis 35:4 , "under the oak which was by Shechem" (RSV marg., "terebinth"). Isaiah 6:13 , A.V., "teil-tree;" RSV, "terebinth." Isaiah 1:30 , RSV marg., "terebinth." Absalom in his flight was caught in the branches of a "great oak" ( 2 Samuel 18:9 ; RSV marg., "terebinth").

3. 'Elon, Judges 4:11 ; 9:6 (RSV, "oak;" A.V., following the Targum, "plain") properly the deciduous species of oak shedding its foliage in autumn.

4. 'Elan, only in Daniel 4:11 Daniel 4:14 Daniel 4:20 , rendered "tree" in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Probably some species of the oak is intended.

5. 'Allah, Joshua 24:26 . The place here referred to is called Allon-moreh ("the oak of Moreh," as in RSV) in Genesis 12:6 and 35:4 .



a solemn appeal to God, permitted on fitting occasions ( Deuteronomy 6:13 ; Jeremiah 4:2 ), in various forms ( Genesis 16:5 ; 2 Sam 12:5 ; Ruth 1:17 ; Hosea 4:15 ; Romans 1:9 ), and taken in different ways ( Genesis 14:22 ; 24:2 ; 2 Chr 6:22 ). God is represented as taking an oath ( Hebrews 6:16-18 ), so also Christ ( Matthew 26:64 ), and Paul ( Romans 9:1 ; Galatians 1:20 ; Phil 1:8 ). The precept, "Swear not at all," refers probably to ordinary conversation between man and man ( Matthew 5:34 Matthew 5:37 ). But if the words are taken as referring to oaths, then their intention may have been to show "that the proper state of Christians is to require no oaths; that when evil is expelled from among them every yea and nay will be as decisive as an oath, every promise as binding as a vow."


servant of the Lord.

1. An Israelite who was chief in the household of King Ahab ( 1 Kings 18:3 ). Amid great spiritual degeneracy he maintained his fidelity to God, and interposed to protect The Lord's prophets, an hundred of whom he hid at great personal risk in a cave (4,13). Ahab seems to have held Obadiah in great honour, although he had no sympathy with his piety (5,6,7). The last notice of him is his bringing back tidings to Ahab that Elijah, whom he had so long sought for, was at hand (9-16). "Go," said Elijah to him, when he met him in the way, "go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here."

2. A chief of the tribe of Issachar ( 1 Chronicles 7:3 ).

3. A descendant of Saul ( 1 Chronicles 8:38 ).

4. A Levite, after the Captivity ( 1 Chronicles 9:16 ).

5. A Gadite who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chronicles 12:9 ).

6. A prince of Zebulun in the time of David ( 1 Chronicles 27:19 ).

7. One of the princes sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the law ( 2 Chronicles 17:7 ).

8. A Levite who superintended the repairs of the temple under Josiah ( 2 Chronicles 34:12 ).

9. One who accompanied Ezra on the return from Babylon ( Ezra 8:9 ).


Obadiah, Book of

consists of one chapter, "concerning Edom," its impending doom ( 1:1-16 ), and the restoration of Israel ( 1:17-21 ). This is the shortest book of the Old Testament.

There are on record the account of four captures of Jerusalem, (1) by Shishak in the reign of Rehoboam ( 1 Kings 14:25 ); (2) by the Philistines and Arabians in the reign of Jehoram ( 2 Chronicles 21:16 ); (3) by Joash, the king of Israel, in the reign of Amaziah ( 2 Kings 14:13 ); and (4) by the Babylonians, when Jerusalem was taken and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (B.C. 586). ( Obadiah 1:11-14 ) speaks of this capture as a thing past. He sees the calamity as having already come on Jerusalem, and the Edomites as joining their forces with those of the Chaldeans in bringing about the degradation and ruin of Israel. We do not indeed read that the Edomites actually took part with the Chaldeans, but the probabilities are that they did so, and this explains the words of Obadiah in denouncing against Edom the judgments of God. The date of his prophecies was thus in or about the year of the destruction of Jerusalem.

Edom is the type of Israel's and of God's last foe ( Isaiah 63:1-4 ). These will finally all be vanquished, and the kingdom will be the Lord's (Compare Psalms 22:28 ).


stripped, the eight son of Joktan ( Genesis 10:28 ); called also Ebal ( 1 Chronicles 1:22 ).


serving; worshipping.

1. A son of Boaz and Ruth ( Ruth 4:21 Ruth 4:22 ), and the grandfather of David ( Matthew 1:5 ).

2. 1 Chronicles 2:34-38 .

3. 1 Chronicles 26:7 .

4. 2 Chronicles 23:1 .


servant of Edom.

1. "The Gittite" (probably so called because he was a native of Gath-rimmon), a Levite of the family of the Korhites ( 1 Chronicles 26:1 1 Chronicles 26:4-8 ), to whom was specially intrusted the custody of the ark ( 1 Chronicles 15:18 ). When David was bringing up the ark "from the house of Abinadab, that was in Gibeah" (probably some hill or eminence near Kirjath-jearim), and had reached Nachon's threshing-floor, he became afraid because of the "breach upon Uzzah," and carried it aside into the house of Obededom ( 2 Samuel 6:1-12 ). There it remained for six months, and was to him and his house the occasion of great blessing. David then removed it with great rejoicing to Jerusalem, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle he had pitched for it.

2. A Merarite Levite, a temple porter, who with his eight sons guarded the southern gate ( 1 Chronicles 15:18 1 Chronicles 15:21 ; 1 Chronicles 26:4 1 Chronicles 26:8 1 Chronicles 26:15 ).

3. One who had charge of the temple treasures ( 2 Chronicles 25:24 ).


homage or reverence to any one ( Genesis 37:7 ; 43:28 ).


a keeper of camels, an Ishmaelite who was "over the camels" in the time of David ( 1 Chronicles 27:30 ).


bottles, an encampment of the Israelites during the wanderings in the wilderness ( Numbers 33:43 ), the first after the setting up of the brazen serpent.


restoring, or setting up.

1. Father of the prophet Azariah ( 2 Chronicles 15:1 2 Chronicles 15:8 ).

2. A prophet in the time of Ahaz and Pekah ( 2 Chronicles 28:9-15 ).


1. An injury or wrong done to one ( 1 Samuel 25:31 ; Romans 5:15 ).

2. A stumbling-block or cause of temptation ( Isaiah 8:14 ; Matthew 16:23 ; 18:7 ). Greek skandalon, properly that at which one stumbles or takes offence. The "offence of the cross" ( Galatians 5:11 ) is the offence the Jews took at the teaching that salvation was by the crucified One, and by him alone. Salvation by the cross was a stumbling-block to their national pride.


an oblation, dedicated to God. Thus Cain consecrated to God of the first-fruits of the earth, and Abel of the firstlings of the flock ( Genesis 4:3 Genesis 4:4 ). Under the Levitical system different kinds of offerings are specified, and laws laid down as to their presentation. These are described under their distinctive names.


gigantic, the king of Bashan, who was defeated by Moses in a pitched battle at Edrei, and was slain along with his sons ( Deuteronomy 1:4 ), and whose kingdom was given to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh ( Numbers 21:32-35 ; Deuteronomy 3:1-13 ). His bedstead (or rather sarcophagus) was of iron (or ironstone), 9 cubits in length and 4 cubits in breadth. His overthrow was afterwards celebrated in song ( Psalms 135:11 ; 136:20 ). (See SIHON .)


united, or power, the third son of Simeon ( Genesis 46:10 ).


a house; tent, the fourth son of Zerubbabel ( 1 Chronicles 3:20 ).


Only olive oil seems to have been used among the Hebrews. It was used for many purposes: for anointing the body or the hair ( Exodus 29:7 ; 2 Sam 14:2 ; Psalms 23:5 ; 92:10 ; 104:15 ; Luke 7:46 ); in some of the offerings ( Exodus 29:40 ; Leviticus 7:12 ; Numbers 6:15 ; 15:4 ), but was excluded from the sin-offering ( Leviticus 5:11 ) and the jealousy-offering ( Numbers 5:15 ); for burning in lamps ( Exodus 25:6 ; 27:20 ; Matthew 25:3 ); for medicinal purposes ( Isaiah 1:6 ; Luke 10:34 ; James 5:14 ); and for anointing the dead ( Matthew 26:12 ; Luke 23:56 ).

It was one of the most valuable products of the country ( Deuteronomy 32:13 ; Ezekiel 16:13 ), and formed an article of extensive commerce with Tyre ( 27:17 ).

The use of it was a sign of gladness ( Psalms 92:10 ; Isaiah 61:3 ), and its omission a token of sorrow ( 2 Samuel 14:2 ; Matthew 6:17 ). It was very abundant in Galilee. (See OLIVE .)


( Isaiah 41:19 ; RSV marg., "oleaster"), Heb. 'etz shemen, rendered "olive tree" in 1Kings 6:23,31,32,33(RSV, "olive wood") and "pine branches" in Nehemiah 8:15 (RSV, "branches of wild olive"), was some tree distinct from the olive. It was probably the oleaster (Eleagnus angustifolius), which grows abundantly in almost all parts of Palestine, especially about Hebron and Samaria. "It has a fine hard wood," says Tristram, "and yields an inferior oil, but it has no relationship to the olive, which, however, it resembles in general appearance."


Various fragrant preparations, also compounds for medical purposes, are so called ( Exodus 30:25 ; Psalms 133:2 ; Isaiah 1:6 ; Amos 6:6 ; John 12:3 ; Revelation 18:13 ).

Old gate



the fruit of the olive-tree. This tree yielded oil which was highly valued. The best oil was from olives that were plucked before being fully ripe, and then beaten or squeezed ( Deuteronomy 24:20 ; Isaiah 17:6 ; 24:13 ). It was called "beaten," or "fresh oil" ( Exodus 27:20 ). There were also oil-presses, in which the oil was trodden out by the feet ( Micah 6:15 ). ( James 3:12 ) calls the fruit "olive berries." The phrase "vineyards and olives" (Judg. 15:5 , A.V.) should be simply "olive-yard," or "olive-garden," as in the Revised Version. (See OIL .)


is frequently mentioned in Scripture. The dove from the ark brought an olive-branch to Noah ( Genesis 8:11 ). It is mentioned among the most notable trees of Palestine, where it was cultivated long before the time of the Hebrews ( Deuteronomy 6:11 ; 8:8 ). It is mentioned in the first Old Testament parable, that of Jotham ( Judges 9:9 ), and is named among the blessings of the "good land," and is at the present day the one characteristic tree of Palestine. The oldest olive-trees in the country are those which are enclosed in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is referred to as an emblem of prosperity and beauty and religious privilege ( Psalms 52:8 ; Jeremiah 11:16 ; Hosea 14:6 ). The two "witnesses" mentioned in Revelation 11:4 are spoken of as "two olive trees standing before the God of the earth." (Compare Zechariah 4:3 Zechariah 4:11-14 .)


Olves, Mount of

so called from the olive trees with which its sides are clothed, is a mountain ridge on the east of Jerusalem ( 1 Kings 11:7 ; Ezekiel 11:23 ; Zechariah 14:4 ), from which it is separated by the valley of Kidron. It is first mentioned in connection with David's flight from Jerusalem through the rebellion of Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:30 ), and is only once again mentioned in the Old Testament, in Zechariah 14:4 . It is, however, frequently alluded to ( 1 Kings 11:7 ; 2 Kings 23:13 ; Nehemiah 8:15 ; Ezekiel 11:23 ).




a Roman Christian whom Paul salutes ( Romans 16:15 ).


eloquent, the son of Eliphaz, who was Esau's eldest son ( Genesis 36:11-15 ).




a handful, one-tenth of an ephah=half a gallon dry measure (Ex 16:22,32,33,36)="tenth deal."









strong, the second son of Judah ( Genesis 38:4-10 ; Compare Deuteronomy 25:5 ; Matthew 22:24 ). He died before the going down of Jacob and his family into Egypt.







The Israelites in the wilderness longed for the "onions and garlick of Egypt" ( Numbers 11:5 ). This was the betsel of the Hebrews, the Allium cepe of botanists, of which it is said that there are some thirty or forty species now growing in Palestine. The onion is "the 'undivided' leek, unio_, _unus , one."




a nail; claw; hoof, (Heb. sheheleth; Exodus 30:34 ), a Latin word applied to the operculum, i.e., the claw or nail of the strombus or wing-shell, a univalve common in the Red Sea. The opercula of these shell-fish when burned emit a strong odour "like castoreum." This was an ingredient in the sacred incense.


a hail; claw; hoof, (Heb. shoham), a precious stone adorning the breast-plate of the high priest and the shoulders of the ephod ( Exodus 28:9-12 Exodus 28:20 ; 35:27 ; Job 28:16 ; Ezekiel 28:13 ). It was found in the land of Havilah ( Genesis 2:12 ). The LXX. translates the Hebrew word by smaragdos, an emerald. Some think that the sardonyx is meant. But the onyx differs from the sardonyx in this, that while the latter has two layers (black and white) the former has three (black, white, and red).

Open place

Genesis 38:14 Genesis 38:21 , mar. Enaim; the same probably as Enam ( Joshua 15:34 ), a city in the lowland or Shephelah.


hill; mound, the long, narrow, rounded promontory on the southern slope of the temple hill, between the Tyropoeon and the Kedron valley ( 2 Chronicles 27:3 ; 33:14 ; Nehemiah 3:26 Nehemiah 3:27 ). It was surrounded by a separate wall, and was occupied by the Nethinim after the Captivity. This wall has been discovered by the engineers of the Palestine Exploration Fund at the south-eastern angle of the temple area. It is 4 feet below the present surface. In 2 Kings 5:24 this word is translated "tower" (RSV, "hill"), denoting probably some eminence near Elisha's house.


1. One of the sons of Joktan ( Genesis 10:29 ).



mouldy, a city of Benjamin ( Joshua 18:24 ).


a fawn. 1 Chronicles 4:14 .

1. A city of Benjamin ( Joshua 18:23 ); probably identical with Ephron ( 2 Chronicles 13:19 ) and Ephraim ( John 11:54 ).





raven, a prince of Midian, who, being defeated by Gideon and put to straits, was slain along with Zeeb ( Judges 7:20-25 ). Many of the Midianites perished along with him ( Psalms 83:9 ; Isaiah 10:26 ).

Oreb, The rock of

the place where Gideon slew Oreb after the defeat of the Midianites ( Judges 7:25 ; Isaiah 10:26 ). It was probably the place now called Orbo, on the east of Jordan, near Bethshean.


ash or pine, the son of Jerahmeel ( 1 Chronicles 2:25 ).


some kind of wind instrument, probably a kind of Pan's pipes ( Genesis 4:21 ; Job 21:12 ; Psalms 150:4 ), which consisted of seven or eight reeds of unequal length.




1 Chronicles 21:15 . (See ARAUNAH .)




( Lamentations 5:3 ), i.e., desolate and without protectors. The word occurs only here. In John 14:18 the word there rendered "comfortless" (RSV, "desolate;" marg., "orphans") properly means "orphans." The same Greek word is rendered "fatherless" in James 1:27 .


Heb. 'ozniyyah, an unclean bird according to the Mosaic law ( Leviticus 11:13 ; Deuteronomy 14:12 ); the fish-eating eagle (Pandion haliaetus); one of the lesser eagles. But the Hebrew word may be taken to denote the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus of Southern Europe), one of the most abundant of the eagle tribe found in Palestine.






a lion of Jehovah, a son of Shemaiah, and one of the temple porters in the time of David ( 1 Chronicles 26:7 ). He was a "mighty man of valour."


lion of God, the first of the judges. His wife Achsah was the daughter of Caleb ( Joshua 15:16 Joshua 15:17 ; Judges 1:13 ). He gained her hand as a reward for his bravery in leading a successful expedition against Debir (q.v.). Some thirty years after the death of Joshua, the Israelites fell under the subjection of Chushan-rishathaim (q.v.), the king of Mesopotamia. He oppressed them for full eight years, when they "cried" unto Jehovah, and Othniel was raised up to be their deliverer. He was the younger brother of Caleb ( Judges 3:8 Judges 3:9-11 ). He is the only judge mentioned connected with the tribe of Judah. Under him the land had rest forty years.




Heb. tannur, ( Hosea 7:4 ). In towns there appear to have been public ovens. There was a street in Jerusalem ( Jeremiah 37:21 ) called "bakers' street" (the only case in which the name of a street in Jerusalem is preserved). The words "tower of the furnaces" ( Nehemiah 3:11 ; 12:38 ) is more properly "tower of the ovens" (Heb. tannurim). These resemble the ovens in use among ourselves.



Heated stones, or sand heated by a fire heaped over it, and also flat irons pans, all served as ovens for the preparation of bread. (See Genesis 18:6 ; 1 Kings 19:6 .)








Heb. bakar, "cattle;" "neat cattle", ( Genesis 12:16 ; 34:28 ; Job 1:3 Job 1:14 ; 42:12 , etc.); not to be muzzled when treading the corn ( Deuteronomy 25:4 ). Referred to by our Lord in his reproof to the Pharisees ( Luke 13:15 ; 14:5 ).

Ox goad




1. One of David's brothers; the sixth son of Jesse ( 1 Chronicles 2:15 ).

2. A son of Jerahmeel ( 1 Chronicles 2:25 ).


son of Joram ( Matthew 1:8 ); called also Uzziah ( 2 Kings 15:32 2 Kings 15:34 ).


hearing, one of the sons of Gad; also called Ezbon ( Genesis 46:16 ; Numbers 26:16 ).