American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

28

Flesh

The substance of which the bodies of men and animals are composed. In the Bible, besides the ordinary sense, Job 33:25, it denotes mankind as a race, Ge 6:12Ps 145:21Isa 40:5-6;...

29

Flocks

SeeSHEEP.

30

Flood

SeeDELUGE.

31

Flute

A soft, sweet-toned wind instrument of music. The word flute is used only in Da 3:5,7,10,15, and is supposed to mean a pipe with two reeds, such as are still to be found in the ...

32

Fly

A genus of insects, of which there are a great many species. Moses declares them and most other insects to be unclean, Le 11:42. They abound in Egypt, and are annoying and vexat...

33

Food

In ancient the food of a people was more entirely the product of their own country than in our day. Palestine was favored with an abundance of animal food, grain, and vegetables...

34

Fool

Any person who does not act wisely, that is, does not follow the warnings and requirements of God, which are founded in infinite wisdom. Hence "a fool" is put for a wicked man, ...

35

Foot

The expressions in De 32:35, "their foot shall slide in due time," and in the traveler’s song, Ps 121:3, "he will not suffer thy foot to be moved," Ps 66:9Jer 13:16, have refere...

36

Footmen Or Runners

Attendants on Eastern princes, trained to run before their chariots, 1Sa 8:11. So Elijah ran before Ahab, 1Ki 18:46. The speed and endurance of some of these couriers is almost ...

37

Forehead

Eze 9:1-11; Re 7:3. The devotees of different idols in India receive at this day different marks on the forehead, distinguishing them one from another. By a similar method the s...

38

Fornication

This word is used in Scripture not only for the sin of impurity between unmarried persons, but for idolatry, and for all kinds of infidelity to God. In Eze 16:1-63, the Jewish c...

39

Fortunatus

1Co 16:17, came from Corinth to Ephesus, to visit Paul. Paul speaks of Stephanus. Fortunatus, and Achaicus as the first fruits of Achaia, and as set for the service of the churc...

40

Fountains

Perennial springs of good water were of inestimable value in Palestine, and numerous places took their name from some fountain in their vicinity. They have furnished to the sacr...

41

Fowl

SeeBIRDS.

42

Fox

Two words in Hebrew are translated "fox" in the Bible; and it is not easy in every case to determine what animal is referred to. There were several varieties of fox in Palestine...

43

Frankincense

SeeINCENSE.

44

Friend

Abraham is signally honored in being called "the friend of God," Isa 41:8Jas 2:23. Christ granted a similar honor and blessing to his disciples, Joh 15:15. It is a different wor...

45

Frog

A well known amphibious animal, famous in connection with the plagues in Egypt, Ex 8:1-14. The magicians are said to have brought up frogs upon the land by their enchantments; b...

46

Frontlets

Thus described by Leo of Modena: the Jews take four pieces of parchment, and write with an ink made on purpose, and in square letters, these four passages, one on each piece: (1...

47

Fulfilled

The ordinary meaning of this word is sufficiently obvious. It will ultimately be recorded over against all the predictions and promises of Jehovah, every one having been fully a...

48

Fuller

A cleanser of cloth. His process is unknown. Christ’s robes at the transfiguration were white "so as no fuller on earth can white them," Mr 9:3. We read also of fullers’ soap, M...

49

Funeral

SeeBURIALandSEPULCHRE.

50

Furlong

Put, in the New Testament, for the Greek, or rather, Roman stadium, which contained about 201 45-100 yards. The English furlong, one- eighth of a mile, contains 220 yards; and i...

51

Furnaces

Often portable, Ge 15:17. They were used for melting the precious metals, Pr 17:3. The furnace into which Daniel’s three friends were cast was large, and remained open after the...

52

Fury

Attributed to God metaphorically, or speaking after the manner of men; that is, God’s providential actions are such as would be performed by a man in a state of anger; so that, ...