FABLE
A fable is a narrative in which being irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions....
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Smith's Bible Dictionary
Smith's Bible Dictionary, Dr. William Smith, 1884.
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FAIR HAVENS
a harbor in the island of Crete, (Acts 27:8) though not mentioned in any other ancient writing, is still known by its own Greek name, and appears to have been the harbor of Lasaea.
FAIRS
a word which occurs only in (Ezekiel 27:1)... and there no less than seven times, vs. (Ezekiel 27:12,14,16,19,22,27,33) in the last of these verses it is rendered "wares," and t...
FALLOW DEER
(called fallow from its reddish-brown color) (Heb. yachmur). The Hebrew word, which is mentioned only in (14:5) and 1Kin 4:23 Probably denotes the Alcelaphus bubalis (the bubale...
FAMINE
In the whole of Syria and Arabia, the fruits of the earth must ever be dependent on rain; the watersheds having few large springs, and the small rivers not being sufficient for ...
FAN
a winnowing-shovel, with which grain was thrown up against the wind to be cleansed from the chaff and straw. (Isaiah 30;24; Matthew 3:12) A large wooden fork is used at the pres...
FARTHING
Two names of coins in the New Testament are rendered in the Authorized Version by this word:Quadrans, (Matthew 5:26; Mark 12:42) a coin current in the time of our Lord, equivale...
FASTS
One fast only was appointed by the Mosaic law, that on the day of atonement. There is no mention of any other periodical fast in the Old Testament except in (Zechariah 7:1-7; 8:...
FAT
i.e. VAT, the word employed in the Authorized Version to translate the Hebrew term yekeb, in (Joel 2:24; 3:13) The word commonly used for yekeb is "winepress" or "winefat," and ...
FAT
The Hebrews distinguished between the suet or pure fat of an animal and the fat which was intermixed with the lean. (Nehemiah 8:10) Certain restrictions were imposed upon them i...
FATHER
The position and authority of the father as the head of the family are expressly assumed and sanctioned in Scripture, as a likeness of that of the Almighty over his creatures. I...
FATHOM
[WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND MEASURES]
FEASTS
[FESTIVALS; MEALS]
FELIX
(happy), a Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius in A.D. 53. He ruled the province in a mean, cruel and profligate manner. His period of office was full of...
FENCED CITIES
i.e. cities fortified or defended. The fortifications of the cities of Palestine, thus regularly "fenced," consisted of one or more walls (sometimes of thick stones, sometimes o...
FERRET
one of the unclean creeping things mentioned in (Leviticus 11:30) The animal referred to was probably a reptile of the lizard tribe (the gecko). The rabbinical writers seen to h...
FESTIVALS
I. The religious times ordained int he law fall under three heads:Those formally connected with the institution of the Sabbath;This historical or great festivals;The day of aton...
FESTUS, PORCIUS
(Festus means festival), successor of Felix as procurator of Judea, (Acts 24:27) sent by Nero probably in the autumn of A.D. 60. A few weeks after Festus reached his province he...
FETTERS
Fetters were for the feet only, while chains were for any part of the body. They were usually made of brass, and also in pairs, the word being in the dual number. Iron was occas...
FIELD
The Hebrew sadeh is applied to any cultivated ground, and in some instances in marked opposition to the neighboring wilderness. On the other hand the sadeh is frequently contras...
FIG, FIG TREE
The fig tree (Ficus carica) is very common in Palestine. (8:8) Mount Olivet was famous for its fig trees in ancient times, and they are still found there. To "sit under one’s ow...
FIR
(Isaiah 14:8; Ezekiel 27:5) etc. As the term "cedar" is in all probability applicable to more than one tree, so also "fir" in the Authorized Version represents probably one or o...
FIRE
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be ...
FIREPAN
one of the vessels of the temple service. (Exodus 27:3; 38:3; 2 Kings 25:15; Jeremiah 52:19) The same word is elsewhere rendered "snuff-dish," (Exodus 25:38; 37:23; Numbers 4:9)...
FIRKIN
[WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND MEASURES]
FIRMAMENT
In Scripture the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; for such is the signification of the Hebrew word. The original, therefore, does not convey the sense of solidity, but of...
FIRSTBORN
Under the law, in memory of the exodus (when the first-born of the Egyptians were slain), the eldest son was regarded as devoted to God, and was in very case to be redeemed by a...