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Barley - a grain much cultivated in Egypt ( Ex. 9:31) and in Palestine ( Lev. 27:16; Deut. 8:8). It was usually the food of horses (1 Kings 4:28). Barley bread was used by the poorer people ( Judg. 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42). Barley of the first crop was ready for the harvest by the time of the Passover, in the middle of April ( Ruth 1:22; 2 Sam. 21:9). Mention is made of barley-meal ( Num. 5:15). Our Lord fed five thousand with "five barley loaves and two small fishes" ( John 6:9).

Barn - a storehouse ( Deut. 28:8; Job 39:12; Hag. 2:19) for grain, which was usually under ground, although also sometimes above ground ( Luke 12:18).

Barnabas - son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite ( Acts 4:36). His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch ( Acts 13:1). Luke speaks of him as a "good man" ( Acts 11:24). He was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He was a native of Cyprus, where he had a possession of land ( Acts 4:36,Acts 4:37), which he sold. His personal appearance is supposed to have been dignified and commanding ( Acts 14:11,Acts 14:12). When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles ( Acts 9:27). They had probably been companions as students in the school of Gamaliel.

The prosperity of the church at Antioch led the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem to send Barnabas thither to superintend the movement. He found the work so extensive and weighty that he went to Tarsus in search of Saul to assist him. Saul returned with him to Antioch and laboured with him for a whole year ( Acts 11:25,Acts 11:26). The two were at the end of this period sent up to Jerusalem with the contributions the church at Antioch had made for the poorer brethren there ( Acts 11:28-30). Shortly after they returned, bringing John Mark with them, they were appointed as missionaries to the heathen world, and in this capacity visited Cyprus and some of the principal cities of Asia Minor ( Acts 13:14). Returning from this first missionary journey to Antioch, they were again sent up to Jerusalem to consult with the church there regarding the relation of Gentiles to the church ( Acts 15:2 and Gal. 2:1). This matter having been settled, they returned again to Antioch, bringing the decree of the council as the rule by which Gentiles were to be admitted into the church.

When about to set forth on a second missionary journey, a dispute arose between Saul and Barnabas as to the propriety of taking John Mark with them again. The dispute ended by Saul and Barnabas taking separate routes. Saul took Silas as his companion, and journeyed through Syria and Cilicia; while Barnabas took his nephew John Mark, and visited Cyprus ( Acts 15:36-41). Barnabas is not again mentioned by Luke in the Acts.

Barrel - a vessel used for keeping flour (1 Kings 17:12,1 Kings 17:14,1 Kings 17:16). The same word (cad) so rendered is also translated "pitcher," a vessel for carrying water ( Gen. 24:14; Judg. 7:16).

Barren - For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews ( Gen. 16:2;Gen 30:1-23; 1 Sam. 1:6,1 Sam. 1:27; Isa. 47:9; Isa 49:21; Luke 1:25). Instances of barrenness are noticed ( Gen. 11:30;Gen 25:21;Gen 29:31; Judg. 13:2, Judg. 13:3; Luke 1:7, Luke 1:36).

Barsabas - son of Saba, the surname (1) of Joseph, also called Justus ( Acts 1:23), some identify him with Barnabas; (2) of Judas, who was a "prophet." Nothing more is known of him than what is mentioned in Acts 15:32.

Bartholomew - son of Tolmai, one of the twelve apostles ( Matt. 10:3; Acts 1:13); generally supposed to have been the same as Nathanael. In the synoptic gospels Philip and Bartholomew are always mentioned together, while Nathanael is never mentioned; in the fourth gospel, on the other hand, Philip and Nathanael are similarly mentioned together, but nothing is said of Bartholomew. He was one of the disciples to whom our Lord appeared at the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection ( John 21:2). He was also a witness of the Ascension ( Acts 1:4,Acts 1:12,Acts 1:13). He was an "Israelite indeed" ( John 1:47).

Bartimaeus - son of Timaeus, one of the two blind beggars of Jericho ( Mark 10:46; Matt. 20:30). His blindness was miraculously cured on the ground of his faith.

Baruch - blessed. (1.) The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah Matt 32:12; Matt 36:4). He was of the tribe of Judah Matt 51:59). To him Jeremiah dictated his prophecies regarding the invasion of the Babylonians and the Captivity. These he read to the people from a window in the temple in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (Jer. 36). He afterwards read them before the counsellors of the king at a private interview; and then to the king himself, who, after hearing a part of the roll, cut it with a penknife, and threw it into the fire of his winter parlour, where he was sitting.

During the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, he was the keeper of the deed of purchase Jeremiah had made of the territory of Hanameel ( Jer. 32:12). Being accused by his enemies of favouring the Chaldeans, he was cast, with Jeremiah, into prison, where he remained till the capture of Jerusalem (B.C. 586). He probably died in Babylon.

(2.) Neh. 3:20; Neh 10:6; Neh 11:5.

Barzillai - of iron. (1.) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel (2 Sam. 21:8).

(2.) A Gileadite of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. He liberally provided for the king's followers (2 Sam. 17:27). David on his death-bed, remembering his kindness, commended Barzillai's children to the care of Solomon (1 Kings 2:7).

(3.) A priest who married a daughter of the preceding ( Ezra 2:61).

Bashan - light soil, first mentioned in Gen. 14:5, where it is said that Chedorlaomer and his confederates "smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth," where Og the king of Bashan had his residence. At the time of Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, Og came out against them, but was utterly routed ( Num. 21:33-35; Deut. 3:1-7). This country extended from Gilead in the south to Hermon in the north, and from the Jordan on the west to Salcah on the east. Along with the half of Gilead it was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh ( Josh. 13:29-31). Golan, one of its cities, became a "city of refuge" ( Josh. 21:27). Argob, in Bashan, was one of Solomon's commissariat districts (1 Kings 4:13). The cities of Bashan were taken by Hazael (2 Kings 10:33), but were soon after reconquered by Jehoash (2 Kings 13:25), who overcame the Syrians in three battles, according to the word of Elisha (19). From this time Bashan almost disappears from history, although we read of the wild cattle of its rich pastures ( Ezek. 39:18; Ps. 22:12), the oaks of its forests ( Isa. 2:13; Ezek. 27:6; Zech. 11:2), and the beauty of its extensive plains ( Amos 4:1; Jer. 50:19). Soon after the conquest, the name "Gilead" was given to the whole country beyond Jordan. After the Exile, Bashan was divided into four districts, (1.) Gaulonitis, or Jaulan, the most western; (2.) Auranitis, the Hauran ( Ezek. 47:16); (3.) Argob or Trachonitis, now the Lejah; and (4.) Batanaea, now Ard-el-Bathanyeh, on the east of the Lejah, with many deserted towns almost as perfect as when they were inhabited. (See HAURAN.)

Bashan-havoth-jair - the Bashan of the villages of Jair, the general name given to Argob by Jair, the son of Manasseh ( Deut. 3:14), containing sixty cities with walls and brazen gates ( Josh. 13:30; 1 Kings 4:13). (See ARGOB.)

Bashan, Hill of - ( Ps. 68:15), probably another name for Hermon, which lies to the north of Bashan.

Bashemath - sweet-smelling. (1.) The daughter of Ishmael, the last of Esau's three wives ( Gen. 36:3,Gen. 36:4,Gen. 36:13), from whose son Reuel four tribes of the Edomites sprung. She is also called Mahalath ( Gen. 28:9). It is noticeable that Esau's three wives receive different names in the genealogical table of the Edomites (Gen. 36) from those given to them in the history ( Gen. 26:34;Gen 28:9).

(2.) A daughter of Solomon, and wife of Ahimaaz, one of his officers (1 Kings 4:15).

Basilisk - (in R.V., Isa. 11:8; Isa 14:29; Isa 59:5; Jer. 8:17), the "king serpent," as the name imports; a fabulous serpent said to be three spans long, with a spot on its head like a crown. Probably the yellow snake is intended. (See COCKATRICE.)

Basin - or Bason. (1.) A trough or laver (Heb. aggan') for washing ( Ex. 24:6); rendered also "goblet" ( Cant. 7:2) and "cups" ( Isa. 22:24).

(2.) A covered dish or urn (Heb. k'for) among the vessels of the temple (1 Chr. 28:17; Ezra 1:10; Ezra 8:27).

(3.) A vase (Heb. mizrak) from which to sprinkle anything. A metallic vessel; sometimes rendered "bowl" ( Amos 6:6; Zech. 9:15). The vessels of the tabernacle were of brass ( Ex. 27:3), while those of the temple were of gold (2 Chr. 4:8).

(4.) A utensil (Heb. saph) for holding the blood of the victims ( Ex. 12:22); also a basin for domestic purposes (2 Sam. 17:28).

The various vessels spoken of by the names "basin, bowl, charger, cup, and dish," cannot now be accurately distinguished.

The basin in which our Lord washed the disciples' feet ( John 13:5) must have been larger and deeper than the hand-basin.

Basket - There are five different Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized Version: (1.) A basket (Heb. sal, a twig or osier) for holding bread (Gen. 40:16; Ex. 29:3, 23; Lev. 8:2, 26, 31; Num. 6:15, 17, 19). Sometimes baskets were made of twigs peeled; their manufacture was a recognized trade among the Hebrews.

(2.) That used (Heb. salsilloth') in gathering grapes ( Jer. 6:9).

(3.) That in which the first fruits of the harvest were presented, Heb. tene, ( Deut. 26:2,Deut. 26:4). It was also used for household purposes. In form it tapered downwards like that called corbis by the Romans.

(4.) A basket (Heb. kelub) having a lid, resembling a bird-cage. It was made of leaves or rushes. The name is also applied to fruit-baskets ( Amos 8:1,Amos 8:2).

(5.) A basket (Heb. dud) for carrying figs ( Jer. 24:2), also clay to the brick-yard (R.V., Ps. 81:6), and bulky articles (2 Kings 10:7). This word is also rendered in the Authorized Version "kettle" (1 Sam. 2:14), "caldron" (2 Chr. 35:13), "seething-pot" ( Job 41:20).

In the New Testament mention is made of the basket (Gr. kophinos, small "wicker-basket") for the "fragments" in the miracle recorded Mark 6:43, and in that recorded Matt. 15:37 (Gr. spuris, large "rope-basket"); also of the basket in which Paul escaped ( Acts 9:25, Gr. spuris; 2 Cor. 11: 33, Gr. sargane, "basket of plaited cords").

Bastard - In the Old Testament the rendering of the Hebrew word mamzer', which means "polluted." In Deut. 23:2, it occurs in the ordinary sense of illegitimate offspring. In Zech. 9:6, the word is used in the sense of foreigner. From the history of Jephthah we learn that there were bastard offspring among the Jews ( Judg. 11:1-7). In Heb. 12:8, the word (Gr. nothoi) is used in its ordinary sense, and denotes those who do not share the privileges of God's children.

Bastinado - beating, a mode of punishment common in the East. It is referred to by "the rod of correction" ( Prov. 22:15), "scourging" ( Lev. 19:20), "chastising" ( Deut. 22:18). The number of blows could not exceed forty ( Deut. 25:2,Deut. 25:3).

Bat - The Hebrew word (atalleph') so rendered ( Lev. 11:19; Deut. 14:18) implies "flying in the dark." The bat is reckoned among the birds in the list of unclean animals. To cast idols to the "moles and to the bats" means to carry them into dark caverns or desolate places to which these animals resort ( Isa. 2:20), i.e., to consign them to desolation or ruin.

Bath - a Hebrew liquid measure, the tenth part of an homer (1 Kings 7:26,1 Kings 7:38; Ezek. 45:10, Ezek. 45:14). It contained 8 gallons 3 quarts of our measure. "Ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath" ( Isa. 5:10) denotes great unproductiveness.

Bath-rabbim - daughter of many, the name of one of the gates of the city of Heshbon, near which were pools ( Cant .7:4).

Baths - The use of the bath was very frequent among the Hebrews ( Lev. 14:8; Num. 19:19, ect.). The high priest at his inauguration ( Lev. 8:6), and on the day of atonement, was required to bathe himself ( Lev 16:4,Lev 16:24). The "pools" mentioned in Neh. 3:15, Neh. 3:16, 2 Kings 20:20, Isa. 22:11, John 9:7, were public bathing-places.

Bath-sheba - daughter of the oath, or of seven, called also Bath-shu'a (1 Chr. 3:5), was the daughter of Eliam (2 Sam. 11:3) or Ammiel (1 Chr. 3:5), and wife of Uriah the Hittite. David committed adultery with her (2 Sam. 11:4,2 Sam. 11:5; Ps. 51:1). The child born in adultery died (2 Sam. 12:15-19). After her husband was slain 2 Sam 11:15) she was married to David 2 Sam 11:27), and became the mother of Solomon 2 Sam 12:24; 1 Kings 1:11;1 Kings 2:13). She took a prominent part in securing the succession of Solomon to the throne (1 Kings 1:11,1 Kings 1:16-21).

Battering-ram - ( Ezek. 4:2;Ezek 21:22), a military engine, consisting of a long beam of wood hung upon a frame, for making breaches in walls. The end of it which was brought against the wall was shaped like a ram's head.