Bosor - the Chaldee or Aramaic form of the name Beor, the father of Balaam (2 Pet. 2:15).

Bosses - the projecting parts of a shield ( Job 15:26). The Hebrew word thus rendered means anything convex or arched, and hence the back, as of animals.

Botch - the name given in Deut. 28:27, Deut. 28:35to one of the Egyptian plagues ( Ex. 9:9). The word so translated is usually rendered "boil" (q.v.).

Bottle - a vessel made of skins for holding wine ( Josh. 9:4. 13; 1 Sam. 16:20; Matt. 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37, Luke 5:38), or milk ( Judg. 4:19), or water ( Gen. 21:14,Gen. 21:15,Gen. 21:19), or strong drink ( Hab. 2:15).

Earthenware vessels were also similarly used ( Jer. 19:1-10; 1 Kings 14:3; Isa. 30:14). In Job 32:19 (comp. Matt. 9:17; Luke 5:37, Luke 5:38; Mark 2:22) the reference is to a wine-skin ready to burst through the fermentation of the wine. "Bottles of wine" in the Authorized Version of Hos. 7:5 is properly rendered in the Revised Version by "the heat of wine," i.e., the fever of wine, its intoxicating strength.

The clouds are figuratively called the "bottles of heaven" ( Job 38:37). A bottle blackened or shrivelled by smoke is referred to in Ps. 119:83 as an image to which the psalmist likens himself.

Bow - The bow was in use in early times both in war and in the chase ( Gen. 21:20;Gen 27:3;Gen 48:22). The tribe of Benjamin were famous for the use of the bow (1 Chr. 8:40;1 Chr 12:2; 2 Chr. 14:8;2 Chr 17:17); so also were the Elamites ( Isa. 22:6) and the Lydians ( Jer. 46:9). The Hebrew word commonly used for bow means properly to tread (1 Chr. 5:18;1 Chr 8:40), and hence it is concluded that the foot was employed in bending the bow. Bows of steel (correctly "copper") are mentioned (2 Sam. 22:35; Ps. 18:34).

The arrows were carried in a quiver ( Gen. 27:3; Isa. 22:6; Isa 49:2; Ps. 127:5). They were apparently sometimes shot with some burning material attached to them ( Ps. 120:4).

The bow is a symbol of victory ( Ps. 7:12). It denotes also falsehood, deceit ( Ps. 64:3,Ps. 64:4; Hos. 7:16; Jer. 9:3).

"The use of the bow" in 2 Sam. 1:18 (A.V.) ought to be "the song of the bow," as in the Revised Version.

Bowels - ( Phil. 1:8;Phil 2:1; Col. 3:12), compassionate feelings; R.V., "tender mercies."

Bowing - a mode of showing respect. Abraham "bowed himself to the people of the land" ( Gen. 23:7); so Jacob to Esau ( Gen. 33:3); and the brethren of Joseph before him as the governor of the land ( Gen. 43:28). Bowing is also frequently mentioned as an act of adoration to idols ( Josh. 23:7; 2 Kings 5:18; Judg. 2:19; Isa. 44:15), and to God ( Josh. 5:14; Ps. 22:29; Ps 72:9; Micah 6:6; Ps. 95:6; Eph. 3:14).

Bowl - The sockets of the lamps of the golden candlestick of the tabernacle are called bowls ( Ex. 25:31,Ex. 25:33,Ex. 25:34;Ex 37:17,Ex. 25:19,Ex. 25:20); the same word so rendered being elsewhere rendered "cup" ( Gen. 44:2,Gen. 44:12,Gen. 44:16), and wine "pot" ( Jer. 35:5). The reservoir for oil, from which pipes led to each lamp in Zechariah's vision of the candlestick, is called also by this name ( Zech. 4:2,Zech. 4:3); so also are the vessels used for libations ( Ex. 25:29;Ex 37:16).

Box - for holding oil or perfumery ( Mark 14:3). It was of the form of a flask or bottle. The Hebrew word (pak) used for it is more appropriately rendered "vial" in 1 Sam. 10:1, and should also be so rendered in 2 Kings 9:1, where alone else it occurs.

Box-tree - (Heb. teashshur), mentioned in Isa. 60:13; Isa 41:19, was, according to some, a species of cedar growing in Lebanon. The words of Ezek. 27:6 literally translated are, "Thy benches they have made of ivory, the daughter of the ashur tree," i.e., inlaid with ashur wood. The ashur is the box-tree, and accordingly the Revised Version rightly reads "inlaid in box wood." This is the Buxus sempervirens of botanists. It is remarkable for the beauty of its evergreen foliage and for the utility of its hard and durable wood.

Bozrah - enclosure; fortress. (1.) The city of Jobab, one of the early Edomite kings ( Gen. 36:33). This place is mentioned by the prophets in later times ( Isa. 34:6; Jer. 49:13; Amos 1:12; Micah 2:12). Its modern representative is el-Busseireh. It lies in the mountain district of Petra, 20 miles to the south-east of the Dead Sea.

(2.) A Moabite city in the "plain country" ( Jer. 48:24), i.e., on the high level down on the east of the Dead Sea. It is probably the modern Buzrah.

Bracelet - (1.) Anklets ( Num. 31:50; 2 Sam. 1:10), and with reference to men.

(2.) The rendering of a Hebrew word meaning fasteners, found in Gen. 24:22, Gen. 24:30, Gen. 24:47.

(3.) In Isa. 3:19, the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning chains, i.e., twisted or chain-like bracelets.

(4.) In Ex. 35:22 it designates properly a clasp for fastening the dress of females. Some interpret it as a nose-ring.

(5.) In Gen. 38:18, Gen. 38:25, the rendering of a Hebrew word meaning "thread," and may denote the ornamental cord with which the signet was suspended from the neck of the wearer.

Bracelets were worn by men as well as by women ( Cant. 5:14, R.V.). They were of many various forms. The weight of those presented by Eliezer to Rebekah was ten shekels ( Gen. 24:22).

Bramble - (1.) Hebrew atad, Judg. 9:14; rendered "thorn," Ps. 58:9. The LXX. and Vulgate render by rhamnus, a thorny shrub common in Palestine, resembling the hawthorn.

(2.) Hebrew hoah, Isa. 34:13 (R.V. "thistles"); "thickets" in 1 Sam. 13:6; "thistles" in 2 Kings 14:9, 2 Chr. 25:18, Job 31:40; "thorns" in 2 Chr. 33:11, Cant. 2:2, Hos. 9:6. The word may be regarded as denoting the common thistle, of which there are many species which encumber the corn-fields of Palestine. (See THORNS.)

Branch - a symbol of kings descended from royal ancestors ( Ezek. 17:3,Ezek. 17:10; Dan. 11:7); of prosperity ( Job 8:16); of the Messiah, a branch out of the root of the stem of Jesse ( Isa. 11:1), the "beautiful branch" ( Isa 4:2), a "righteous branch" ( Jer. 23:5), "the Branch" ( Zech. 3:8;Zech 6:12).

Disciples are branches of the true vine ( John 15:5,John 15:6). "The branch of the terrible ones" ( Isa. 25:5) is rightly translated in the Revised Version "the song of the terrible ones," i.e., the song of victory shall be brought low by the destruction of Babylon and the return of the Jews from captivity.

The "abominable branch" is a tree on which a malefactor has been hanged ( Isa. 14:19). The "highest branch" in Ezek. 17:3 represents Jehoiakim the king.

Brass - which is an alloy of copper and zinc, was not known till the thirteenth century. What is designated by this word in Scripture is properly copper ( Deut. 8:9). It was used for fetters ( Judg. 16:21; 2 Kings 25:7), for pieces of armour (1 Sam. 17:5,1 Sam. 17:6), for musical instruments (1 Chr. 15:19; 1 Cor. 13:1), and for money ( Matt. 10:9).

It is a symbol of insensibility and obstinacy in sin ( Isa. 48:4; Jer. 6:28; Ezek. 22:18), and of strength ( Ps. 107:16; Micah 4:13).

The Macedonian empire is described as a kingdom of brass ( Dan. 2:39). The "mountains of brass" Zechariah ( Dan 6:1) speaks of have been supposed to represent the immutable decrees of God.

The serpent of brass was made by Moses at the command of God ( Num. 21:4-9), and elevated on a pole, so that it might be seen by all the people when wounded by the bite of the serpents that were sent to them as a punishment for their murmurings against God and against Moses. It was afterwards carried by the Jews into Canaan, and preserved by them till the time of Hezekiah, who caused it to be at length destroyed because it began to be viewed by the people with superstitious reverence (2 Kings 18:4). (See NEHUSHTAN.)

The brazen serpent is alluded to by our Lord in John 3:14, John 3:15. (See SERPENT.)

Bravery - ( Isa. 3:18), an old English word meaning comeliness or beauty.

Breach - an opening in a wall (1 Kings 11:27; 2 Kings 12:5); the fracture of a limb ( Lev. 24:20), and hence the expression, "Heal, etc." ( Ps. 60:2). Judg. 5:17, a bay or harbour; R.V., "by his creeks."

Bread - among the Jews was generally made of wheat ( Ex. 29:2; Judg. 6:19), though also sometimes of other grains ( Gen. 14:18; Judg. 7:13). Parched grain was sometimes used for food without any other preparation ( Ruth 2:14).

Bread was prepared by kneading in wooden bowls or "kneading troughs" ( Gen. 18:6; Ex. 12:34; Jer. 7:18). The dough was mixed with leaven and made into thin cakes, round or oval, and then baked. The bread eaten at the Passover was always unleavened ( Ex. 12:15-20; Deut. 16:3). In the towns there were public ovens, which were much made use of for baking bread; there were also bakers by trade ( Hos. 7:4; Jer. 37:21). Their ovens were not unlike those of modern times. But sometimes the bread was baked by being placed on the ground that had been heated by a fire, and by covering it with the embers (1 Kings 19:6). This was probably the mode in which Sarah prepared bread on the occasion referred to in Gen. 18:6.

In Lev. 2 there is an account of the different kinds of bread and cakes used by the Jews. (See BAKE.)

The shew-bread (q.v.) consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread prepared and presented hot on the golden table every Sabbath. They were square or oblong, and represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The old loaves were removed every Sabbath, and were to be eaten only by the priests in the court of the sanctuary ( Ex. 25:30; Lev. 24:8; 1 Sam. 21:1-6; Matt . 12:4).

The word bread is used figuratively in such expressions as "bread of sorrows" ( Ps. 127:2), "bread of tears" ( Ps 80:5), i.e., sorrow and tears are like one's daily bread, they form so great a part in life. The bread of "wickedness" ( Prov. 4:17) and "of deceit" ( Prov 20:17) denote in like manner that wickedness and deceit are a part of the daily life.

Breastplate - (1.) That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. This word is used figuratively in Eph. 6:14 and Isa. 59:17. (See ARMOUR.)

(2.) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Ex. 25:7. It was made of embroidered cloth, set with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes ( Ex. 28:15-29;Ex 39:8-21). It was in size about ten inches square. The two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It was not to be "loosed from the ephod" ( Ex. 28:28). The lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it reminded the priest of his representative character, it was called the memorial ( Ex 28:29). It was also called the breastplate of judgment ( Ex 28:15). (See PRIEST.)

Breeches - ( Ex. 28:42), rather linen drawers, reaching from the waist to a little above the knee, worn by the priests ( Ezek. 44:17,Ezek. 44:18).

Bribe - None to be taken; "for the gift maketh open eyes blind, and perverteth the cause of the righteous" ( Ex. 23:8, literally rendered).

Bricks - the making of, formed the chief labour of the Israelites in Egypt ( Ex. 1:13,Ex. 1:14). Those found among the ruins of Babylon and Nineveh are about a foot square and four inches thick. They were usually dried in the sun, though also sometimes in kilns (2 Sam. 12:31; Jer. 43:9; Nah. 3:14). (See NEBUCHADNEZZAR.)

The bricks used in the tower of Babel were burnt bricks, cemented in the building by bitumen ( Gen. 11:3).

Bride - frequently used in the ordinary sense ( Isa. 49:18;Isa 61:10, etc.). The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride ( John 3:29). The church is called "the bride" ( Rev. 21:9;Rev 22:17). Compare parable of the Ten Virgins ( Matt. 25:1-13).

Bridle - Three Hebrew words are thus rendered in the Authorized Version. (1.) Heb. mahsom' signifies a muzzle or halter or bridle, by which the rider governs his horse ( Ps .39:1).

(2.) Me'theg, rendered also "bit" in Ps. 32:9, which is its proper meaning. Found in 2 Kings 19:28, where the restraints of God's providence are metaphorically styled his "bridle" and "hook." God's placing a "bridle in the jaws of the people" ( Isa. 30:28;Isa 37:29) signifies his preventing the Assyrians from carrying out their purpose against Jerusalem.

(3.) Another word, re'sen, was employed to represent a halter or bridle-rein, as used Ps. 32:9; Isa. 30:28. In Job 30:11 the restraints of law and humanity are called a bridle.