earnest (ur'nist), money given as a part payment and a pledge in binding a bargain: used figuratively for the Holy Spirit, the gift for the heart of man, which is a pledge guaranteeing the relationship of God to believers, and ultimate salvation: II Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph.1:14.
Easter (es'tar), the annual Christian
festival celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus: it was not observed in New
Testament
times; its use in Acts 12:4 (its only appearance in the Bible) is the result
of a mistranslation of the Greek word for "Passover."
edification (ed-a-fi-ka'shan) moral or spiritual instruction or improvement, especially seen in the development or confirmation of faith in God as opposed to the destruction or weakening of such faith: Rom. 15:2; I Cor. 14:3.
edify ( ed'a-fi), 1. to instruct or improve morally or spiritually: Eph. 4:29. 2. to make strong or healthy; build up: Acts 9:31; Eph. 4:12. This latter sense is the more common one used by Paul: I Thess. 5:11.
effectual (a-fek'choo-al), adj. producing or capable of producing the desired effect: as, effectual prayer (James 5: 16) is prayer that is humble, earnest, and sincere, thereby bringing about great results. -no effective work; work producing good results: I Cor. 16:9.
elder (el'dar), an older member of a clan, or tribal division, who was one of the official rulers of the clan (Gen. 50:7): the elders of all the clans represented the nation as a whole. In the early Church, men of similar status, also often called bishops, became the leaders of the Church. Acts 14:23; 20:17.
election (i-lek'shan), the selection by God
of an individual or group for a purpose or destiny according to the purpose
of His
own will. The Old Testament word for election expresses the idea of
selecting or choosing someone or something after carefully considering
alternatives ( I Sam. 17:40; Gen. 6:2). In the New Testament, election is
presented as a gracious, divine choice of individual sinners to be saved and
perfected through the redemptive work of Christ (Rom. 8:28; Eph. 1:3-
14; II Thess. 2:13; II Tim. 1:9,10). Election is the result of the sovereign
discriminating mercy of God (Eph. 1:4,5).
elect lady, the addressee of the Second Epistle of John: it may really mean an actual lady, but many authorities think that "elect lady" (i.e., "chosen lady") is an expression for a local church. II John 1:1.
Eloi (e-lo'i), an Aramaic form of a Hebrew
word for God: part of an exclamation by Jesus (Mark 15:34) while on the
cross,
literally translated as "My God." In Matt. 27:46 the Hebrew form Eli
is used. Both words are an attempt to transliterate
the opening words of Psalm 22 which Jesus uttered. Some of the bystanders,
presumably Jewish, thought Jesus was calling on Elijah (Matt. 27:47; Mark
15:35) whose prophetic association with the Day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5)
probably added to the misunderstanding.
Elul (e'lul), the sixth month ( August-September) of the Hebrew calendar (Neh. 6:15), having 29 days. It is the twelfth month of the modem Hebrew calendar.
emerods (em'ar-odz), 1. hemorrhoids, or piles: Deut. 28:27. 2. the painful swellings, usually in the groin, of bubonic plague, which the Lord inflicted upon the Philistines after they captured the ark of God: I Sam. 5:6.
emulation (em-u-la'shan),
1. a desire to equal or surpass others; especially, a desire to imitate the
good qualities of others:
Rom. 11:14. 2. ambitious rivalry resulting in quarrels: it is listed among
works of the flesh; i.e., the carnal appetites: Gal. 5:20.
enchanter (in-chant'ar), a person who uses ritual chants and magical words either to summon the aid of spirits or to drive spirits away or out of persons they are supposedly tormenting: Deut. 18:10; Jer.27:9.
enchantment (en-chant'mant), the use of magic, witchcraft, spells, and charms (II Chr. 33:6) those who practiced enchantment (enchanters) were denounced by Mosaic law: Deut. 18:9-12.
endamage (en-dam'ij), to damage; make worthless; impair: Ezra 4:13.
endue (en-doo'), to provide with; endow with: Gen. 30:20; II Chr. 2:12.
engine (en'jin), an instrument of war used in sieges: either an offensive weapon, as a battering ram (Ezek. 26:9) or a defensive weapon, as a catapult or instrument for hurling missiles (II Chr. 26:15).
engraven (en-grav'en), engraved or carved, usually in stone but sometimes in wood, metal, or precious stones: II Cor. 3:7.
engraver (en-grav'ar), one who carves or engraves, usually in stone; especially, a stone cutter, or jeweler: Ex. 28: 11.
enmity (en'ma-te), a strong, settled feeling of hatred; the attitude or feelings of an enemy (Num. 3.5:21,22); especially, feelings that are unrighteous and hostile to God's will (Rom. 8:7; James 4:4).
ensample (en-sam'pal),
an example, either a good one that is to be followed (Phil. 3:17) or one
that serves as a warning (II
Pet. 2:6).
| ensign (en'sin), 1. an ornamental emblem probably placed on top of a long pole, as the insignia of an army or people (Num. 2:2): used figuratively as a signal or symbol of protection (Isa. 11: 12; 30: 17; 31:9). 2. a sign, standard, or other symbol that is easily seen: Zech. 9:16. |
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environ (en-vi'run), to encircle; enclose; surround: Josh. 7:9.
ephah (e'fa), a Hebrew dry measure equal to about 6 quarts, or % of a bushel: Lev. 5:11; Ezek. 45:11. There is wide disagreement as to the exact modem equivalents of the various weights and measures that appear in the Bible. The systems were borrowed from, or influenced by, the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, and others with whom the Hebrews had contact at different times in their history. The units often changed with each new ruler or each new commercial commitment with another nation. The equivalents given in this dictionary are in accordance with recent scholarship.
Ephphatha (ef'a-tha), the transliteration into English of the Greek form of the perative of the Aramaic verb "to open," namely, "Be opened" (Mark 7:34).
| ephod (e'fod), 1. a richly embroidered holy garment of linen worn by ancient Jewish priests: it was an outer vestment, usually having straps over the shoulders and an embroidered girdle. Originally worn by the high priest (Ex. 28:~12), it was later worn by other priests (I Sam. 22:18). 2. a linen garment drawn around the hips and fastened at the waist: I Sam. 2:18; II Sam. 6:14. 3. an object of an unknown nature, possibly an image or idol: Judg. 8:27; 17:5. |
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Epicurean (ep-i-kyoo-re'an), a follower of Epicurus (342?-270 B.C., Greek philosopher) or his philosophy which held that the goal of man should be a life of pleasure regulated by morality, temperance, serenity, and cultural development: although these traditional virtues are part of the Epicurean conception of individual conduct many of the followers of Epicurus degenerated into seeking sensual satisfaction as the utmost pleasure, and for this reason the philosophy was rejected by early Christians. In Acts 17; 18, "Epicureans" refers to the school of philosophy founded by Epicurus: philosophers of this school (opposed to the "Stoicks") were in the market place in Athens when Paul was there.
Epistle ( e-pis'al), a long formal letter written by one of the Apostles to an individual or church, giving religious advice and instruction. Of the 27 books of the New Testament, 21 are in the form of an Epistle.
espouse (i-spouz'), to promise in marriage; betroth (II Sam. 3:14; Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:27): used figuratively in speaking of the union of the Church, or the true believers, with Christ as a marriage (II Cor. 11:2).
eternal life, in the New Testament, the true life attained through the work of Christ and the faith of the believer; life without end in fellowship with God (John 17.:3). Eternal life is pictured as both a present state and a future condition, to find ultimate fulfillment at the resurrection and heavenly glory (Matt. 25:46; John 6:54; Rom. 2:7).
Euroclydon ( yoo-rok'li-don ), a stormy northeast wind of the Mediterranean, which beset the ship upon which Paul was sailing to Rome: Acts 27:14.
evangelist (e-van'ja-list), 1. a person who proclaims or preaches the Gospel, especially one who travels about as a missionary: Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; II Tim. 4: 5 2. Evangelist, any of four writers of the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John: this usage does not appear in the New Testament but it does become evident in the early Christian centuries.
even (e'van), evening: Ex. 12:18; Mark 1:32.
evening sacrifice, the burnt offering of a yearling lamb that took place every evening (a similar sacrifice took place each morning) as one of the two daily sacrifices prescribed in the Mosaic law: Ex. 29:38,39; Ezra 9:4,5.
eventide (ev'an-tid), evening: Gen. 24:63; Josh. 8:29.
evil (e'val), the
opposite of good; physical or moral disorder; anything which does not
conform to the will of God (John 3:19,20). Physical evil is that which
militates against man's physical well-being. (Job. 1-2; Prov. 32:29). Moral
evil is
disorder. In the moral realm arising from the mans sinful inclinations (Jas.
1:13-15).
evilfavouredness (e-vil-fa'vard-nis), a defect on a bull, ox, etc., that renders it unfit as a sacrificial offering: Deut. 17: 1.
evil spirit, a supernatural, demonic influence often in human form that causes disease, pain, unhappiness, or other misery: I Sam. 16: 14,23; 18: 10: In the Old Testament it is perhaps best understood as an angel or messenger of Cod sent for the punishment of wickedness. In the New Testament (Luke 7:21; 8:2; Acts 19:12) it is a more personalized spirit or demon that works evil.
evil thing, 1. a condition that causes suffering or other misery: Luke 16:25. 2. an emotion or feeling that' manifests thought or passion: Mark 7:23.
exactor (eg-zak'tar), one who oppresses or makes harsh demands: Isa. 60:17.
exchanger (eks-chanj'ar), one who loans money for profit; banker: Matt. 25:27.
Exile (eg'zil), the period during which Jews were held in captivity (q.v.) in Babylonia (6th cent. B.C.): many of the leading inhabitants of Judah were taken as captives by Nebuchadnezzar and forcibly detained until a decree issued (c. 536 B.C.) by Cyrus the Persian king, allowed those who desired to return to Palestine (cf. Ezra 1:1-4).
exorcist (ek'sor-sist), a magician or sorcerer; especially, one who uses incantations or magic formulas to drive out evil spirits: Acts 19:13. The word is not used in referring to Christian miracles.
extreme burning, literally, fiery heat: used to describe conditions that would afflict the body in a time of extreme drought, as redness, pain, heat, swelling, etc.: Deut. 28:22.
eyesalve (i'sav), ointment applied to various wounds or irritations of the eye for purposes of soothing or healing: Rev. 3:18.
eyeservice (i'sur-vis), work done only under the observation of a supervisor, or work done for flattery or favors: Eph.6:6; Col. 3:22.
