(2.) Ezek. 28:24, sallon', properly a "prickle," such as is found on the shoots of the palm tree.

(3.) Isa. 55:13, probably simply a thorny bush. Some, following the Vulgate Version, regard it as the "nettle."

(4.) Isa. 5:6; Isa 7:23-25, etc., frequently used to denote thorny shrubs in general. In 10:17; In 27:4, it means troublesome men.

(5.) In Heb. 6:8 the Greek word (tribolos) so rendered means "three-pronged," and denotes the land caltrop, a low throny shrub resembling in its spikes the military "crow-foot." Comp. Matt. 7:16, "thistle."

Brigandine - ( Jer. 46:4;Jer 51:3), an obsolete English word denoting a scale coat of armour, or habergeon, worn by light-armed "brigands." The Revised Version has "coat of mail."

Brimstone - an inflammable mineral substance found in quantities on the shores of the Dead Sea. The cities of the plain were destroyed by a rain of fire and brimstone ( Gen. 19:24,Gen. 19:25). In Isa. 34:9 allusion is made to the destruction of these cities. This word figuratively denotes destruction or punishment ( Job 18:15; Isa. 30:33; Isa 34:9; Ps. 11:6; Ezek. 38:22). It is used to express the idea of excruciating torment in Rev. 14:10; Rev 19:20; Rev 20:10.

Brook - a torrent. (1.) Applied to small streams, as the Arnon, Jabbok, etc. Isaiah Rev 15:7) speaks of the "book of the willows," probably the Wady-el-Asha. (2.) It is also applied to winter torrents ( Job 6:15; Num. 34:5; Josh. 15:4, Josh. 15:47), and to the torrent-bed or wady as well as to the torrent itself ( Num. 13:23; 1 Kings 17:3). (3.) In Isa. 19:7 the river Nile is meant, as rendered in the Revised Version.

Brother - (1.) In the natural and common sense ( Matt. 1:2; Luke 3:1, Luke 3:19).

(2.) A near relation, a cousin ( Gen. 13:8;Gen 14:16; Matt. 12:46; John 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal. 1:19).

(3.) Simply a fellow-countryman ( Matt. 5:47; Acts 3:22; Heb. 7:5).

(4.) A disciple or follower ( Matt. 25:40; Heb. 2:11, Heb. 2:12).

(5.) One of the same faith ( Amos 1:9; Acts 9:30; Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 5:11); whence the early disciples of our Lord were known to each other as brethren.

(6.) A colleague in office ( Ezra 3:2; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1).

(7.) A fellow-man ( Gen. 9:5;Gen 19:7; Matt. 5:22, Matt. 5:23, Matt. 5:24; Matt 7:5; Heb. 2:17).

(8.) One beloved or closely united with another in affection (2 Sam. 1:26; Acts 6:3; 1 Thess. 5:1). Brethren of Jesus ( Matt. 1:25;Matt 12:46,Matt. 1:50:Mark 3:31,Mark 3:32; Gal. 1:19; 1 Cor. 9:5, etc.) were probably the younger children of Joseph and Mary. Some have supposed that they may have been the children of Joseph by a former marriage, and others that they were the children of Mary, the Virgin's sister, and wife of Cleophas. The first interpretation, however, is the most natural.

Bruit - a rumour or report ( Jer. 10:22, R.V. "rumour;" Nah. 3:19).

Bucket - a vessel to draw water with ( Isa. 40:15); used figuratively, probably, of a numerous issue ( Num. 24:7).

Buckler - (1.) A portable shield (2 Sam. 22:31; 1 Chr. 5:18).

(2.) A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively ( Ps. 91:4).

(3.) A large shield protecting the whole body ( Ps. 35:2; Ezek. 23:24; Ezek 26:8).

(4.) A lance or spear; improperly rendered "buckler" in the Authorized Version (1 Chr. 12:8), but correctly in the Revised Version "spear."

The leather of shields required oiling (2 Sam. 1:21; Isa. 21:5), so as to prevent its being injured by moisture. Copper (= "brass") shields were also in use (1 Sam. 17:6; 1 Kings 14:27). Those spoken of in 1 Kings 10:16, etc .; 14:26, were probably of massive metal.

The shields David had taken from his enemies were suspended in the temple as mementoes (2 Kings 11:10). (See ARMOUR , SHIELD.)

Building - among the Jews was suited to the climate and conditions of the country. They probably adopted the kind of architecture for thei dwellings which they found already existing when they entered Canaan ( Deut. 6:10; Num. 13:19). Phoenician artists (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 5:6,1 Kings 5:18) assisted at the erection of the royal palace and the temple at Jerusalem. Foreigners also assisted at the restoration of the temple after the Exile ( Ezra 3:7).

In Gen. 11:3, Gen. 11:9, we have the first recorded instance of the erection of buildings. The cities of the plain of Shinar were founded by the descendants of Shem Gen 10:11, Gen 10:12, Gen 10:22).

The Israelites were by occupation shepherds and dwellers in tents ( Gen. 47:3); but from the time of their entering Canaan they became dwellers in towns, and in houses built of the native limestone of Palestine. Much building was carried on in Solomon's time. Besides the buildings he completed at Jerusalem, he also built Baalath and Tadmor (1 Kings 9:15,1 Kings 9:24). Many of the kings of Israel and Judah were engaged in erecting various buildings.

Herod and his sons and successors restored the temple, and built fortifications and other structures of great magnificence in Jerusalem ( Luke 21:5).

The instruments used in building are mentioned as the plumb-line ( Amos 7:7), the measuring-reed ( Ezek. 40:3), and the saw (1 Kings 7:9).

Believers are "God's building" (1 Cor. 3:9); and heaven is called "a building of God" (2 Cor. 5:1). Christ is the only foundation of his church (1 Cor. 3:10-12), of which he also is the builder ( Matt. 16:18).

Bul - rainy, the eighth ecclesiastical month of the year (1 Kings 6:38), and the second month of the civil year; later called Marchesvan (q.v.). (See MONTH.)

Bullock - (1.) The translation of a word which is a generic name for horned cattle ( Isa. 65:25). It is also rendered "cow" ( Ezek. 4:15), "ox" ( Gen. 12:16).

(2.) The translation of a word always meaning an animal of the ox kind, without distinction of age or sex ( Hos. 12:11). It is rendered "cow" ( Num. 18:17) and "ox" ( Lev. 17:3).

(3.) Another word is rendered in the same way ( Jer. 31:18). It is also translated "calf" ( Lev. 9:3; Micah 6:6). It is the same word used of the "molten calf" ( Ex. 32:4,Ex. 32:8) and "the golden calf" (1 Kings 12:28).

(4.) In Judg. 6:25; Isa. 34:7, the Hebrew word is different. It is the customary word for bulls offered in sacrifice. In Hos. 14:2, the Authorized Version has "calves," the Revised Version "bullocks."

Bulrush - (1.) In Isa. 58:5 the rendering of a word which denotes "belonging to a marsh," from the nature of the soil in which it grows ( Isa. 18:2). It was sometimes platted into ropes ( Job. 41:2; A.V., "hook," R.V., "rope," lit. "cord of rushes").

(2.) In Ex. 2:3, Isa. 18:2 (R.V., "papyrus") this word is the translation of the Hebrew gome, which designates the plant as absorbing moisture. In Isa. 35:7 and Job 8:11 it is rendered "rush." This was the Egyptian papyrus (papyrus Nilotica). It was anciently very abundant in Egypt. The Egyptians made garments and shoes and various utensils of it. It was used for the construction of the ark of Moses ( Ex. 2:3,Ex. 2:5). The root portions of the stem were used for food. The inside bark was cut into strips, which were sewed together and dried in the sun, forming the papyrus used for writing. It is no longer found in Egypt, but grows luxuriantly in Palestine, in the marshes of the Huleh, and in the swamps at the north end of the Lake of Gennesaret. (See CANE.)

Bulwarks - mural towers, bastions, were introduced by king Uzziah (2 Chr. 26:15; Zeph. 1:16; Ps. 48:13; Isa. 26:1). There are five Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized Version, but the same word is also variously rendered.

Bunch - (1.) A bundle of twigs ( Ex. 12:22). (2.) Bunch or cake of raisins (2 Sam. 16:1). (3.) The "bunch of a camel" ( Isa. 30:6).

Burden - (1.) A load of any kind ( Ex. 23:5). (2.) A severe task ( Ex. 2:11). (3.) A difficult duty, requiring effort ( Ex. 18:22). (4.) A prophecy of a calamitous or disastrous nature ( Isa. 13:1;Isa 17:1; Hab. 1:1, etc.).

Burial - The first burial we have an account of is that of Sarah (Gen. 23). The first commercial transaction recorded is that of the purchase of a burial-place, for which Abraham weighed to Ephron "four hundred shekels of silver current money with the merchants." Thus the patriarch became the owner of a part of the land of Canaan, the only part he ever possessed. When he himself died, "his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah," beside Sarah his wife ( Gen. 25:9).

Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, was buried under Allon-bachuth, "the oak of weeping" ( Gen. 35:8), near to Bethel. Rachel died, and was buried near Ephrath; "and Jacob set a pillar upon her grave" (16-20). Isaac was buried at Hebron, where he had died (27, 29). Jacob, when charging his sons to bury him in the cave of Machpelah, said, "There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah" ( Gen 49:31). In compliance with the oath which he made him swear unto him ( Gen 47:29-31), Joseph, assisted by his brethren, buried Jacob in the cave of Machpelah ( Gen 50:2,Gen 50:13). At the Exodus, Moses "took the bones of Joseph with him," and they were buried in the "parcel of ground" which Jacob had bought of the sons of Hamor ( Josh. 24:32), which became Joseph's inheritance ( Gen. 48:22; 1 Chr. 5:1; John 4:5). Two burials are mentioned as having taken place in the wilderness. That of Miriam ( Num. 20:1), and that of Moses, "in the land of Moab" ( Deut. 34:5,Deut. 34:6,Deut. 34:8). There is no account of the actual burial of Aaron, which probably, however, took place on the summit of Mount Hor ( Num. 20:28,Num. 20:29).

Joshua was buried "in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah" (Josh. 24: 30).

In Job we find a reference to burying-places, which were probably the Pyramids ( Num 3:14,Num 3:15). The Hebrew word for "waste places" here resembles in sound the Egyptian word for "pyramids."

Samuel, like Moses, was honoured with a national burial (1 Sam. 25:1). Joab (1 Kings 2:34) "was buried in his own house in the wilderness."

In connection with the burial of Saul and his three sons we meet for the first time with the practice of burning the dead (1 Sam. 31:11-13). The same practice is again referred to by Amos 1 Sam 6:10).

Absalom was buried "in the wood" where he was slain (2 Sam. 18:17,2 Sam. 18:18). The raising of the heap of stones over his grave was intended to mark abhorrence of the person buried (comp. Josh. 7:26 and 8:29). There was no fixed royal burying-place for the Hebrew kings. We find several royal burials taking place, however, "in the city of David" (1 Kings 2:10;1 Kings 11:43;1 Kings 15:8; 2 Kings 14:19,2 Kings 14:20;2 Kings 15:38; 1 Kings 14:31;1 Kings 22:50; 2 Chr. 21:19,2 Chr. 21:20; 2 Chr. 24:25, etc.). Hezekiah was buried in the mount of the sepulchres of the sons of David; "and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death" (2 Chr. 32:33).

Little is said regarding the burial of the kings of Israel. Some of them were buried in Samaria, the capital of their kingdom (2 Kings 10:35;2 Kings 13:9;2 Kings 14:16).

Our Lord was buried in a new tomb, hewn out of the rock, which Joseph of Arimathea had prepared for himself ( Matt. 27:57-60; Mark 15:46; John 19:41, John 19:42).

The grave of Lazarus was "a cave, and a stone lay on it" ( John 11:38). Graves were frequently either natural caverns or artificial excavations formed in the sides of rocks ( Gen. 23:9; Matt. 27:60); and coffins were seldom used, unless when the body was brought from a distance.

Burnt offering - Hebrew olah; i.e., "ascending," the whole being consumed by fire, and regarded as ascending to God while being consumed. Part of every offering was burnt in the sacred fire, but this was wholly burnt, a "whole burnt offering." It was the most frequent form of sacrifice, and apparently the only one mentioned in the book of Genesis. Such were the sacrifices offered by Abel ( Gen. 4:3,Gen. 4:4, here called minhah; i.e., "a gift"), Noah ( Gen. 8:20), Abraham ( Gen. 22:2,Gen. 22:7,Gen. 22:8,Gen. 22:13), and by the Hebrews in Egypt ( Ex. 10:25).

The law of Moses afterwards prescribed the occasions and the manner in which burnt sacrifices were to be offered. There were "the continual burnt offering" ( Ex. 29:38-42; Lev. 6:9-13), "the burnt offering of every sabbath," which was double the daily one ( Num. 28:9,Num. 28:10), "the burnt offering of every month" ( Num 28:11-15), the offerings at the Passover (19-23), at Pentecost ( Lev. 23:16), the feast of Trumpets ( Lev 23:23-25), and on the day of Atonement (Lev. 16).

On other occasions special sacrifices were offered, as at the consecration of Aaron (Ex. 29) and the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:5,1 Kings 8:62-64).

Free-will burnt offerings were also permitted ( Lev. 1:13), and were offered at the accession of Solomon to the throne (1 Chr. 29:21), and at the reformation brought about by Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29: 31-35).

These offerings signified the complete dedication of the offerers unto God. This is referred to in Rom. 12:1. (See ALTAR , SACRIFICE.)

Bush - in which Jehovah appeared to Moses in the wilderness ( Ex. 3:2; Acts 7:30). It is difficult to say what particular kind of plant or bush is here meant. Probably it was the mimosa or acacia. The words "in the bush" in Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37, mean "in the passage or paragraph on the bush;" i.e., in Ex. 3.

Butler - properly a servant in charge of the wine ( Gen. 40:1-13;Gen 41:9). The Hebrew word, mashkeh, thus translated is rendered also (plural) "cup-bearers" (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chr. 9:4). Nehemiah 2 Chr 1:11) was cup-bearer to king Artaxerxes. It was a position of great responsibility and honour in royal households.

Butter - (Heb. hemah), curdled milk ( Gen. 18:8; Judg. 5:25; 2 Sam. 17:29), or butter in the form of the skim of hot milk or cream, called by the Arabs kaimak, a semi-fluid ( Job 20:17;Job 29:6; Deut. 32:14). The words of Prov. 30:33 have been rendered by some "the pressure [not churning] of milk bringeth forth cheese."

Buz - contempt. (1.) The second son of Nahor and Milcah, and brother of Huz ( Gen. 22:21). Elihu was one of his descendants ( Job 32:2).

(2.) One of the chiefs of the tribe of Gad (1 Chr. 5:14).

(3.) A district in Arabia Petrea ( Jer. 25:23).

Buzi - the father of the prophet Ezekiel ( Jer 1:3).

By - in the expression "by myself" (A.V., 1 Cor. 4:4), means, as rendered in the Revised Version, "against myself."

By and by - immediately ( Matt. 13:21; R.V., "straightway;" Luke 21:9).

By-ways - only in Judg. 5:6 and Ps. 125:5; literally "winding or twisted roads." The margin has "crooked ways."