Proverb
A trite maxim; a similitude; a parable. The Hebrew word thus rendered (mashal) has a wide signification. It comes from a root meaning “to be like,” “parable.” Rendered “proverb”...
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Easton's Bible Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, M. G. Easton, 1897.
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Proverbs, Book of
A collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the “philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to ...
Providence
Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God’s preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3)...
Psalms
The psalms are the production of various authors. “Only a portion of the Book of Psalms claims David as its author. Other inspired poets in successive generations added now one ...
Psaltery
A musical instrument, supposed to have been a kind of lyre, or a harp with twelve strings. The Hebrew word nebhel, so rendered, is translated “viol” in Isa. 5:12 (R.V., “lute”);...
Ptolemais
A maritime city of Galilee (Acts 21:7). It was originally called “Accho” (q.v.), and received the name Ptolemais from Ptolemy Soter when he was in possession of Coele-Syria.
Puah
Splendid. (1.) One of the two midwives who feared God, and refused to kill the Hebrew male children at their birth (Ex. 1:15-21).(2.) A descendant of Issachar (Judg. 10:1).
Publican
One who farmed the taxes (e.g., Zacchaeus, Luke 19:2) to be levied from a town or district, and thus undertook to pay to the supreme government a certain amount. In order to col...
Publius
“the chief man of the island” of Malta (Acts 28:7), who courteously entertained Paul and his shipwrecked companions for three days, till they found a more permanent place of res...
Pudens
Bashful, a Christian at Rome, who sent his greetings to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:21). (See CLAUDIA.)
Pul
(1.) An Assyrian king. It has been a question whether he was identical with Tiglath-pileser III. (q.v.), or was his predecessor. The weight of evidence is certainly in favour of...
Pulpit
(Neh. 8:4). (See EZRA.)
Pulse
(Dan. 1:12, 16), R.V. “herbs,” vegetable food in general.
Punishment
The New Testament lays down the general principles of good government, but contains no code of laws for the punishment of offenders. Punishment proceeds on the principle that th...
Pur, Purim
A lot, lots, a festival instituted by the Jews (Esther 9:24-32) in ironical commemoration of Haman’s consultation of the Pur (a Persian word), for the purpose of ascertaining th...
Purification
The process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privi...
Purse
(1.) Gr. balantion, a bag (Luke 10:4; 22:35, 36).(2.) Gr. zone, properly a girdle (Matt. 10:9; Mark 6:8), a money-belt. As to our Lord’s sending forth his disciples without mone...
Put, Phut
(1.) One of the sons of Ham (Gen. 10:6).(2.) A land or people from among whom came a portion of the mercenary troops of Egypt, Jer. 46:9 (A.V., “Libyans,” but correctly, R.V., “...
Puteoli
A city on the coast of Campania, on the north shore of a bay running north from the Bay of Naples, at which Paul landed on his way to Rome, from which it was distant 170 miles. ...
Pygarg
Heb. dishon, “springing”, (Deut. 14:5), one of the animals permitted for food. It is supposed to be the Antelope addax. It is described as “a large animal, over 3 1/2 feet high ...