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Aaron (airÂŽuhn). Brother of MOSES and MIRIAM (Num. 26:59). Aaron and his wife Elisheba had four sons (26:60; see NADAB). God appointed him to be Mosesâ spokesman (Exod. 4:14 â 16), and he later became the first HIGH PRIEST in Israel (ch. 28). Although highly regarded, Aaron is also faulted for his part in the incident of the golden calf (32:1 â 25) and for his criticism of Moses (Num. 12:1 â 9). He died without being allowed to enter the Promised Land (20:12, 22 â 29). In the NT, the author of Hebrews regards Aaron as a foreshadowing of Christ (Heb. 5:1 â 5), but explains that the Aaronic priesthood was only temporary, whereas Christâs ministry is eternal (7:11 â 28).
Mt. Hor. The structure on top of the mountain is known as Aaronâs Tomb.
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Aaronâs staff (rod). When KORAH and his confederates challenged the leadership of MOSES and AARON (Num. 16 â 17), Moses placed the staffs of the tribal leaders, including Aaronâs, inside the TABERNACLE. The next day Aaronâs staff was found to have budded, vindicating his divine authority as high priest; it was then placed before the ARK in the HOLY OF HOLIES âas a sign to the rebelliousâ (17:6 â 10). The staff referred to is very likely the same shepherdâs staff Moses was carrying at the time of his call (Exod. 4:2 â 4; called âthe staff of Godâ in v. 20).
Abaddon (uh-badÂŽuhn). This Hebrew name means â[place of] destruction, ruin.â With its Greek equivalent Apollyon, it is used once in the NT with reference to the evil angel who reigns over the infernal regions of the ABYSS (Rev. 9:11).
Abana (abÂŽuh-nuh). The name of a river (today called Barada) that flows through DAMASCUS and makes the area lovely and fertile. It was mentioned by NAAMAN when he objected to bathing in the JORDAN (2 Ki. 5:12).
Abarim (abÂŽuh-rim). The region E of the JORDAN, and specifically a mountain range in NW MOAB that includes Mount NEBO. The Israelites encamped here just before crossing the Jordan, and from one of its peaks MOSES saw the Promised Land (Num. 33:47 â 48; Deut. 32:49).
Abba (ahÂŽbuh, abÂŽuh). An ARAMAIC term meaning âfather,â used with the corresponding Greek term three times in the NT as a way of addressing God (Mk. 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). It is probable that Jesus used this word also in many of the instances where the Gospels record that he referred to God as FATHER.
Abdon (abÂŽduhn). The eleventh mentioned JUDGE of Israel; he ruled eight years (Jdg. 12:13 â 15).
Abednego (uh-bedÂŽni-goh). The Babylonian name given to AZARIAH, one of the three Israelite youths who were companions of DANIEL (Dan. 1:7). The other two were SHADRACH and MESHACH. Daniel and his three friends belonged to the Hebrew royal family and determined not to defile themselves with the pagan diet (vv. 8 â 15). Later, the three youths were appointed provincial administrators (2:49). Because they refused to worship the pagan image set up by King NEBUCHADNEZZAR, they were cast into a fiery furnace, but they were miraculously delivered (3:1 â 30). The NT alludes to them when it mentions the heroes of faith who âquenched the fury of the flamesâ (Heb. 11:34).
Abel (ayÂŽbuhl). (1) ADAM and EVEâs second son, who was murdered by his brother CAIN because God looked with favor on Abelâs offering (Gen. 4:1 â 12; see Heb. 11:4; 12:24). (2) Shortened form of Abel Beth Maacah, a town in the extreme N of Palestine (2 Sam. 20:18; see vv. 14 â 15).
Abel Meholah (ayÂŽbuhl-mi-hohÂŽluh). The hometown of ELISHA the prophet (1 Ki. 19:16; also mentioned in Jdg. 7:22, etc.).
Abiathar (uh-biÂŽuh-thahr). Son of the high priest AHIMELECH. After his fatherâs death, Abiathar joined DAVID (1 Sam. 22:20 â 23), and later he served as high priest along with ZADOK (2 Sam. 15:24 â 29). When David was near death, Abiathar supported ADONIJAH rather than SOLOMON (1 Ki. 1:7), so when the latter ascended the throne, Abiathar was banished (2:22 â 27).
Abib (ayÂŽbib, ah-veevÂŽ). TNIV Aviv. The first month in the Jewish religious CALENDAR (corresponding to March â April), during which the Passover took place (Exod. 13:4; 23:15; 34:18; Deut. 16:1). Abib is the older name for the month of Nisan (Neh. 2:1; Esth. 3:7).
Abigail, Abigal (abÂŽuh-gayl, abÂŽuh-gal). (1) The wise and beautiful wife of NABAL, a rich man who refused to give provisions to DAVID. After Nabal died, Abigal married David and bore his second son, KILEAB (1 Sam. 25:2 â 42; 2 Sam. 3:3). (2) A sister of King David and the mother of AMASA (2 Sam. 17:25; 1 Chr. 2:16 â 17).
Abihu (uh-biÂŽhyoo). Second son of AARON; he and his older brother NADAB, who were priests, presented a type of offering that God had forbidden, and for that reason God took their lives (Exod. 6:23; Lev. 10:1 â 2).
Abijah, Abijam (uh-biÂŽ juh, uh-biÂŽ juhm). The name of several persons, especially a son of REHOBOAM who became the second king of Judah after the division of the kingdom (1 Ki. 14:31 â 15:8 [where the Heb. text calls him âAbijamâ]; 2 Chr. 12:16 â 14:1). Abijah followed the evil ways of his father and reigned only three years.
Abilene (abÂŽuh-leeÂŽnee). A region in SYRIA near the Antilebanon mountains (see LEBANON); it was ruled by Lysanias when JOHN the Baptist began his ministry (Lk. 3:1).
Abimelech (uh-bimÂŽuh-lek). TNIV Abimelek. (1) A PHILISTINE king of GERAR who took SARAH to marry her; after being warned by God in a dream, he immediately returned her to ABRAHAM (Gen. 20:1 â 18). The name Abimelech may be a title. (2) A second king of Gerar, probably the son of the previous Abimelech; he rebuked ISAAC for trying to pass off REBEKAH as his sister (Gen. 26:1 â 11). (3) The son of GIDEON by a concubine; after murdering all but one of his half brothers, he became king of SHECHEM (Jdg. 8:31; 9:1 â 57). (4) A Philistine king mentioned in the title of Ps. 34; he is very likely the same as ACHISH king of GATH (1 Sam. 21:10 â 22:1).
Abinadab (uh-binÂŽuh-dab). (1) A brother of DAVID (1 Sam. 16:8; 17:13). (2) A son of SAUL who died with his father in battle with the PHILISTINES (1 Sam. 31:2). (3) A man of KIR...