< Previous | Contents | Next >
•BEG That the poor existed among the Hebrews we have abundant evidence (Exodus 23:11; Deuteronomy 15:11), but there is no mention of beggars properly so called in the Old Testament. The poor were provided for by the law of Moses (Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 12:12; 14:29). It is predicted of the seed of the wicked that they shall be beggars (Psalm 37:25; 109:10).
In the New Testament we find not seldom mention made of beggars (Mark 10:46; Luke 16:20, 21; Acts 3:2), yet there is no mention of such a class as vagrant beggars, so numerous in the East. “Beggarly,” in Galatians 4:9, means worthless.
•BEHEAD a method of taking away life practised among the Egyptians (Genesis 40:17-19). There are instances of this mode of punishment also among the Hebrews (2 Samuel 4:8; 20:21,22; 2 Kings 10:6-8). It is also mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 14:8-12; Acts 12:2).
•BEHEMOTH (Job 40:15-24). Some have supposed this to be an Egyptian word meaning a “water-ox.” The Revised Version has here in the margin “hippopotamus,” which is probably the correct rendering of the word. The word occurs frequently in Scripture, but, except here, always as a common name, and translated “beast” or “cattle.”
•BEKAH Both the name and its explanation, “a half shekel,” are given in Exodus 38:26. The word properly means a “division,” a “part.” (R.V., “beka.”)
•BEL the Aramaic form of Baal, the national God of the Babylonians (Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 50:2; 51:44). It signifies “Lord.” (See BAAL.)
•BELA a thing swallowed. (1.) A city on the shore of the Dead Sea, not far from Sodom, called also Zoar. It was the only one of the five cities that