< Previous | Contents | Next >

TRANSFIGURATION, THE of our Lord on a “high mountain apart,” is described by each of the three evangelists (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). The fullest account is given by Luke, who, no doubt, was informed by Peter, who was present on the occasion. What these evangelists record was an absolute historical reality, and not a mere vision. The concurrence between them in all the circumstances of the incident is exact. John seems to allude to it also (John 1:14). Forty years after the event Peter distinctly makes mention of it (2 Peter 1:16-18). In describing the sanctification of believers, Paul also seems to allude to this majestic and glorious appearance of our Lord on the “holy mount” (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

The place of the transfiguration was probably Mount Hermon (q.v.), and not Mount Tabor, as is commonly supposed.

TREASURE CITIES store cities which the Israelites built for the Egyptians (Exodus 1:11). (See PITHOM.) Towns in which the treasures of the kings of Judah were kept were so designated (1 Chronicles 27:25).

TREASURE HOUSES the houses or magazines built for the safe keeping of treasure and valuable articles of any kind (Ezra 5:17; 7:20; Nehemiah 10:38; Daniel 1:2).

TREASURY (Matthew 27:6; Mark 12:41; John 8:20). It does not appear that there was a separate building so called. The name was given to the thirteen brazen chests, called “trumpets,” from the form of the opening into which the offerings of the temple worshippers were put. These stood in the outer “court of the women.” “Nine chests were for the appointed money-tribute and for the sacrifice-tribute, i.e., money-gifts instead of the sacrifices; four chests for freewill-offerings for wood, incense, temple decoration, and burnt-offerings” (Lightfoot’s Hor. Hebrews ).

TREE OF LIFE stood also in the midst of the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9; 3:22). Some writers have advanced the opinion that this tree had some