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Dictionary beginning with Z

Zaanaim

Wanderings; the unloading of tents, so called probably from the fact of nomads in tents encamping amid the cities and villages of that region, a place in the north-west of Lake Merom, near Kedesh, in Naphtali. Here Sisera was slain by Jael, "the wife of Heber the Kenite," who had pitched his tent in the "plain [R.V., 'as far as the oak'] of Zaanaim" (Judg. 4:11). It has been, however, suggested by some that, following the LXX. and the Talmud, the letter b, which in Hebrew means "in," should be taken as a part of the word following, and the phrase would then be "unto the oak of Bitzanaim," a place which has been identified with the ruins of Bessum, about half-way between Tiberias and Mount Tabor.

Zaanan

Place of flocks, mentioned only in Micah 1:11. It may be identified with Zenan, in the plain country of Judah (Josh. 15:37).

Zabdiel

Gift of God. (1.) The father of Jashobeam, who was one of David's officers (1 Chr. 27:2). (2.) An overseer of the priests after the Captivity (Neh. 11:14).

Zabud

Gift, the son of Nathan, who was "king's friend" in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:5).

Zabulon

(Matt. 4:13, 15; Rev. 7:8). See [676]ZEBULUN.

Zacchaeus

Pure, a superintendant of customs; a chief tax-gather (publicanus) at Jericho (Luke 19:1-10). "The collection of customs at Jericho, which at this time produced and exported a considerable quantity of balsam, was undoubtedly an important post, and would account for Zacchaeus being a rich man." Being short of stature, he hastened on before the multitude who were thronging about Christ as he passed through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, and climbed up a sycamore tree that he might be able to see him. When our Lord reached the spot he looked up to the publican among the branches, and addressing him by name, told him to make haste and come down, as he intended that day to abide at his house. This led to the remarkable interview recorded by the evangelist, and to the striking parable of the ten pounds (Luke 19:12-27). At Er-riha (Jericho) there is a large, venerable looking square tower, which goes by the traditional name of the House of Zacchaeus.

Zaccur

of the male kind; mindful

Zacharias

(1.) A priest of the course of Abia, the eighth of the twenty-four courses into which the priests had been originally divided by David (1 Chr. 23:1-19). Only four of these courses or "families" of the priests returned from the Exile (Ezra 2:36-39); but they were then re-distributed under the old designations. The priests served at the temple twice each year, and only for a week each time. Zacharias's time had come for this service. During this period his home would be one of the chambers set apart for the priests on the sides of the temple ground. The offering of incense was one of the most solemn parts of the daily worship of the temple, and lots were drawn each day to determine who should have this great honour, an honour which no priest could enjoy more than once during his lifetime. While Zacharias ministered at the golden altar of incense in the holy place, it was announced to him by the angel Gabriel that his wife Elisabeth, who was also of a priestly family, now stricken in years, would give birth to a son who was to be called John, and that he would be the forerunner of the long-expected Messiah (Luke 1:12-17). As a punishment for his refusing to believe this message, he was struck dumb and "not able to speak until the day that these things should be performed" (20). Nine months passed away, and Elisabeth's child was born, and when in answer to their inquiry Zacharias wrote on a "writing tablet," "His name is John," his mouth was opened, and he praised God (60-79). The child (John the Baptist), thus "born out of due time," "waxed strong in spirit" (1:80). (2.) The "son of Barachias," mentioned as having been slain between the temple and the altar (Matt. 23:35; Luke 11:51). "Barachias" here may be another name for Jehoiada, as some think. (See [678]ZECHARIAH.)

Zacher

Memorial, a son of Jehiel (1 Chr. 8:31; 9:35); called Zechariah (9:37).

Zaham

crime; filthiness; impurity

Zair

little; afflicted; in tribulation

Zalaph

shadow; ringing; shaking

Zalmonah

the shade; the sound of the number; his image

Zalmunna

shadow; image; idol forbidden

Zanoah

forgetfulness; desertion

Zareth-shahar

The splendour of the dawn, a city "in the mount of the valley" (Josh. 13:19). It is identified with the ruins of Zara, near the mouth of the Wady Zerka Main, on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, some 3 miles south of the Callirrhoe. Of this town but little remains. "A few broken basaltic columns and pieces of wall about 200 yards back from the shore, and a ruined fort rather nearer the sea, about the middle of the coast line of the plain, are all that are left" (Tristram's Land of Moab).

Zarthan

A place near Succoth, in the plain of the Jordan, "in the clay ground," near which Hiram cast the brazen utensils for the temple (1 Kings 7:46); probably the same as Zartan. It is also called Zeredathah (2 Chr. 4:17). (See [681]ZEREDA.)

Zattu

Id., one whose descendants returned from the Captivity with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:8; Neh. 7:13); probably the same as Zatthu.

Zaza

belonging to all

Zeal

An earnest temper; may be enlightened (Num. 25:11-13; 2 Cor. 7:11; 9:2), or ignorant and misdirected (Rom. 10:2; Phil. 3:6). As a Christian grace, it must be grounded on right principles and directed to right ends (Gal. 4:18). It is sometimes ascribed to God (2 Kings 19:31; Isa. 9:7; 37:32; Ezek. 5:13).

Zealots

A sect of Jews which originated with Judas the Gaulonite (Acts 5:37). They refused to pay tribute to the Romans, on the ground that this was a violation of the principle that God was the only king of Israel. They rebelled against the Romans, but were soon scattered, and became a lawless band of mere brigands. They were afterwards called Sicarii, from their use of the sica, i.e., the Roman dagger.

Zebadiah

portion of the Lord; the Lord is my portion

Zebah

victim; sacrifice

Zebaim

(Ezra 2:57; Neh. 7:59). "Pochereth of Zebaim" should be read as in the Revised Version, "Pochereth-hazzebaim" ("snaring the antelopes"), probably the name of some hunter.

Zebina

flowing now; selling; buying

Zeboim

Gazelles or roes. (1.) One of the "five cities of the plain" of Sodom, generally coupled with Admah (Gen. 10:19; 14:2; Deut. 29:23; Hos. 11:8). It had a king of its own (Shemeber), and was therefore a place of some importance. It was destroyed along with the other cities of the plain. (2.) A valley or rugged glen somewhere near Gibeah in Benjamin (1 Sam. 13:18). It was probably the ravine now bearing the name Wady Shakh-ed-Dub'a, or "ravine of the hyena," north of Jericho. (3.) A place mentioned only in Neh. 11:34, inhabited by the Benjamites after the Captivity.

Zebulonite

The designation of Elon, the judge who belonged to the tribe of Zebulun (Judg. 12:11, 12).

Zebulun

Zebulon, dwelling; habitation

Zebulun, Lot of

In Galilee, to the north of Issachar and south of Asher and Naphtali (Josh. 19:10-16), and between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean. According to ancient prophecy this part of Galilee enjoyed a large share of our Lord's public ministry (Isa. 9:1, 2; Matt. 4:12-16).

Zebulun, Tribe of

Numbered at Sinai (Num. 1:31) and before entering Canaan (26:27). It was one of the tribes which did not drive out the Canaanites, but only made them tributary (Judg. 1:30). It took little interest in public affairs. It responded, however, readily to the summons of Gideon (6:35), and afterwards assisted in enthroning David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:33, 40). Along with the other northern tribes, Zebulun was carried away into the land of Assyria by Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29). In Deborah's song the words, "Out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer" (Judg. 5:14) has been rendered in the R.V., "They that handle the marshal's staff." This is a questionable rendering. "The word sopher (scribe' or 'writer') defines the word shebhet (rod' or pen') with which it is conjoined. The rod of the scribe' on the Assyrian monuments was the stylus of wood or metal, with the help of which the clay tablet was engraved, or the papyrus inscribed with characters. The scribe who wielded it was the associate and assistant of the lawgivers.'" (Sayce).

Zedad

his side; his hunting

Zedekiah

the Lord is my justice; the justice of the Lord

Zelah

rib; side; halting

Zelek

the shadow or noise of him that licks or laps

Zemarite

The designation of one of the Phoenician tribes (Gen. 10:18) who inhabited the town of Sumra, at the western base of the Lebanon range. In the Amarna tablets (B.C. 1400) Zemar, or Zumur, was one of the most important of the Phoenician cities, but it afterwards almost disappears from history.

Zenan

coldness; target; weapon

Zephath

which beholds; that attends or that covers

Zephathah

A valley in the west of Judah, near Mareshah; the scene of Asa's conflict with Zerah the Ethiopian (2 Chr. 14:9-13). Identified with the Wady Safieh.

Zepho

Zephon, that sees and observes; that expects or covers

Zer

perplexity

Zerahiah

the Lord rising; brightness of the Lord

Zered

=Zared, luxuriance; willow bush, a brook or valley communicating with the Dead Sea near its southern extremity (Num. 21:12; Deut. 2:14). It is called the "brook of the willows" (Isa. 15:7) and the "river of the wilderness" (Amos 6:14). It has been identified with the Wady el-Aksy.

Zereda

The fortress, a city on the north of Mount Ephraim; the birthplace of Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:26). It is probably the same as Zaretan (Josh. 3:16), Zererath (Judg. 7:22), Zartanah (1 Kings 4:12), or the following.

Zeredah

ambush; change of dominion

Zeredathah

A place in the plain of Jordan; the same as Zarthan (2 Chr. 4:17; 1 Kings 7:46). Here Solomon erected the foundries in which Hiram made the great castings of bronze for the temple.

Zererath

(Judg. 7:22), perhaps identical with Zereda or Zeredathah. Some identify it with Zahrah, a place about 3 miles west of Beth-shean.

Zeresh

misery; strange; dispersed inheritance

Zeror

root; that straitens or binds; that keeps tight

Zeruah

leprous; wasp; hornet

Zerubbabel

a stranger at Babylon; dispersion of confusion

Zeruiah

pain or tribulation of the Lord

Zetham

Olive planter, a Levite (1 Chr. 23:8).

Zethan

A Benjamite (1 Chr. 7:10).

Zethar

he that examines or beholds

Zia

sweat; swelling

Ziba

army; fight; strength

Zibia

Gazelle, a Benjamite (1 Chr. 8:9).

Zibiah

the Lord dwells; deer; goat

Zichri

that remembers; that is a man

Ziddim

huntings; treasons; destructions

Zidon

hunting; fishing; venison

Zif

this or that; brightness; comeliness

Ziha

brightness; whiteness; drought

Zillah

shadow; the tingling of the ear

Zilpah

distillation from the mouth

Zimri

Praise-worthy. (1.) A son of Salu, slain by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, because of his wickedness in bringing a Midianitish woman into his tent (Num. 25:6-15). (2.) Murdered Elah at Tirzah, and succeeded him on the throne of Israel (1 Kings 16:8-10). He reigned only seven days, for Omri, whom the army elected as king, laid siege to Tirzah, whereupon Zimri set fire to the palace and perished amid its ruins (11-20). Omri succeeded to the throne only after four years of fierce war with Tibni, another claimant to the throne.

Zimzi

my field; my vine

Zin

buckler; coldness

Zina

shining; going back

Zion

monument; raised up; sepulcher

Zior

ship of him that watches

Ziph

this mouth or mouthful; falsehood

Ziphah

A descendant of Judah (1 Chr. 4:16).

Ziphron

falsehood of a song; rejoicing

Zippor

bird; sparrow; crown; desert

Ziz

flower; branch; a lock of hair

Zizah

A Gershonite Levite (1 Chr. 23:11).

Zoar

little; small

Zobah

Zobebah, an army; warring

Zohar

white; bright; dryness

Zoheleth

that creeps, slides, or draws

Zophim, Field of

Field of watchers, a place in Moab on the range of Pisgah (Num. 23:14). To this place Balak brought Balaam, that he might from thence curse the children of Israel. Balaam could only speak the word of the Lord, and that was blessing. It is the modern Tal'at-es-Safa. (See [687]PISGAH.)

Zorah

leprosy; scab; hornet

Zuph

that beholds, observes, watches; roof; covering

Zuph, Land of

(1 Sam. 9:5, 6), a district in which lay Samuel's city, Ramah. It was probably so named after Elkanah's son, Zuph (1 Chr. 6:26, marg.).

Zur

stone; rock; that besieges

Zuriel

rock or strength of God

Zuzims

the posts of a door; splendor; beauty

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