lade (lad), to put something to be carried into or upon; load: Gen. 47:17; I Kings 12:11.
lake of fire, the place into which the beast and the false prophet were cast (Rev. 19:20): it is to be the fate of the wicked, upon being judged: Rev. 21:8.
lama (la'ma), why?: an Aramaic word that was part of the exclamation of Jesus on the cross: Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34. See also Eloi and sabachthani.
Lamb of God, Jesus, who, like the lamb at Passover, is sacrificed for the guilt and sin of others: John 1:29,36. The lamb was frequently chosen for sacrifice (Ex. 12:3, 21) because of its purity, gentleness, and uncomplaining submission to suffering, and in these qualities also it resembled Jesus. The word "Lamb" alone is used elsewhere as a symbolic reference to Jesus: Rev. 5:12; 13:8.
lamed (la'mid), the twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet: it appears at the beginning of the twelfth section of Psalm 119.
lamentation (lam"an-ta'shan), an outward expression of grief or sorrow (Gen. 50:10; Ps. 78:64; Amos 8:10): lamentations often took the form of speeches or poems that lamented and praised a great man who had died (II Sam. 1: 17; Acts 8:2). The Lamentations of Jeremiah are poems of mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians in the 6th century B.C.
lancet (lan'sit), a kind of small spear: I Kings 18:28.
lantern (lan'tarn), a kind of lamp, probably burning by means of a wick soaked in oil and having some sort of cover for shielding the flame from the wind and rain: such a light was used by the group that went to Gethsemane to arrest Jesus: John 18:3.
lapwing (lap'wing),
probably, the hoopoe, a brightly colored European bird with a long, curved
bill and a crest, that wintered
in Palestine (Lev. 11:19; Deut. 14:18): most authorities agree that it was
not the bird known today as the "lapwing" which
is a kind of plover.
last days, the time during which all things will be summed up and in which final judgment will be pronounced before the end of life on earth: at this time the final glory of God will be disclosed and the destiny of man will be revealed; Isa. 2:2; Dan. 10:14; Heb. 1:2.
| latchet (lach'it), a strap for fastening a sandal to the foot: Isa. 5:27; Mark 1:7. |
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latter rain, the third period of heavy rainfall in Palestine, occurring in March, April, and early May (Deut. 11:14; Zech.10:1): called "latter" because it is the last regular rainy period of the year which began in September or October: the early rainy period, usually in October and November is called the former rain (Jer. 5:24; Hos. 6:3).
| laver (la'vir), a large copper or bronze basin set in an elaborate movable basin located near the altar in the tabernacle the priests washed their hands and feet with the water in the laver before they ministered at the altar or entered the most holy place: Ex. 31:9; I Kings 7:40,43. |
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lawgiver (lo'giv-ir), 1. one who makes, introduces, or enacts a code of law for a nation or a people; especially, God Isa. 33:22; James 4:12): Moses was the lawgiver of Israel (see John 1:17; 7:19). 2.) the scepter, or staff, held by a ruler on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of his authority (Gen. 49:10; Num. 21:18): since a ruler or monarch was the one who laid down the law he was called a lawgiver, hence the symbol of his authority, the scepter, was also referred to as a lawgiver.
lawyer (lo'yar), a person with a sound knowledge of the oral and written law of the Hebrews; one who decided questions of law and taught others the matters of law: probably sometimes applied to a scribe: Matt. 22:35; Luke 7:30; 22:66. Tit. 3:13.
laying on of hands,
the symbolic act of placing one's hands on another as an act of blessing in
the presence of God or for
the purpose of identifying oneself with that person or animal; specifically,
1) the laying of hands on the head of an animal
that one is offering as a sacrifice at the altar (Lev. 1:4), thereby
identifying it as one's own representative to God; 2) the laying of hands on
one's children (Gen. 48: 14 ), indicating parental blessing, or on the sick
(Mark 8:23), conveying the blessings of God, etc.; 3) the act of an apostle,
missionary, etc., laying his hands on a person, thus signifying that that
person is devoted to the service of God (Tim. 4:14).
league (leg), an agreement made by nations, groups, or individuals for the purpose of doing a specific thing or keeping a specific thing from happening; covenant specially, an agreement for promoting common interests or assuring mutual protection (II Sam. 5:3; 1 Kings 5:12).
leanfleshed (len'flesht), with little flesh or fat; thin; lean: Gen. 41:3,4,19.
leasing (lez'ing), lying; lies: Ps. 4:2; 5:6.
leathern (leth'arn), made of leather: Matt. 3:4.
lees (lez), the solid Particles that settlr to the bottom of wine as it ferments; dreg; sediment (Isa. 25:6): wine was allowed to stand with the lees in it in order to improve its quality. -to settle on one's lees become complacent about oneself and one's surroundings; feel self-satisfied: Jer. 48:11; Zeph. 1:12.
legion (le'jan), 1. a Roman military division varying during different historical periods from 3,000 to 6,000 foot soldiers with an additional contingent of cavalrymen: Matt. 26:53. 2. any large number, as in the name Legion given by the unclean spirit in the demoniac (Mark 5:9,15; Luke 8:30) to indicate that many demons entered into the man.
lentile (len'tal), 1. a plant of the pea family, with small edible seeds: II Sam. 3:11. 2. the reddish seed of this plant, often used as an ingredient in pottage, or stew (Gen. 25:34): in times of hardship lentiles were sometimes used in making bread (Ezek. 4:9).
leper (lep'ar), a person having leprosy of any kind: II Sam. 3:29; Luke 17:12.
leprosy (lep'ra-se),
1. a chronic skin disease of more than one variety (Lev. 13), probably the
most common type was what
we call today psoriasis which is characterized by scaly, reddish
patches: however, whether it was psoriasis, ringworm, boils,
or some other curable disease it was believed to be infectious and, for that
reason, isolation of the victim was prescribed.
True leprosy was probably not unknown; it was characterized by nodules,
ulcers, white scaly scabs, deformities, and the
wasting away of body parts; since this disease attacked the tissues and
nerves, as well as the skin, long periods of confinement were necessary to
effect a cure. 2. mildew, mold, dry rot, or a fungus growth that affected
clothing and houses
(Lev. 14:33-57): since these things have the characteristics of decay and
deformity they were identified with the skin disease and repair or
destruction were required.
leviathan (la-vi'a-than), an unknown sea monster which is a symbol of the evil in the world, an evil over which the forces of good will ultimately triumph: it is thought that leviathan may be an allusion to an oppressive nation, as Egypt, against which the children of God were contending (Ps. 74:14; Isa. 27:1). In Job 41:7, however, the beast referred to is traditionally thought to be the crocodile, but this is doubted by many.
Levite (le'vit), a member of a tribe descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah (Gen. 29:34): the members of this tribe were assigned the tasks of taking care of the tabernacle and assisting the priests (Num. 3:5 tf.): since Levites could not enter the sanctuary they were concerned with looking after the furniture and the Court, watching the door, moving the tabernacle, and similar servant like chores.
Levitical (la-vit'i-kal), of the Levites or their duties: Heb. 7:11.
Libertines (lib'ar-tenz), persons who were probably descendants of
Jews who had been captured by the Romans, made into
bondsmen, and afterward released: Acts 6:9. Just what was actually meant in
this passage, where the original Greek is ambiguous and the translation is
doubtful, is still disputed.
lien (lan), variant of lain (past participle of lie, to recline): Gen. 26:10; Ps. 68:1.3.
lieutenant (loo-ten'ant), the governor of a province of Persia; satrap: Ezra 8:36; Esther 8:9; 9:3.
lign aloes (lin al'oz), the tree from which aloes wood is obtained: Num. 24:6.
ligure (lig'yoor), one of the twelve precious stones worn in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest (Ex. 28:19; 39:12): it is believed by some to be the yellow jacinth.
likeminded (lik'min-did), having the same ideas, plans, tastes, etc.; agreeing mentally: Rom. 15:5; Phil. 2:2,20.
lily work, the
carved work in the form of lilies, that decorated the capitals, or tops, of
the columns Jachin and Boaz on the
porch of Solomon's temple: I Kings 7:19, 22.
| lintel ( lin'tal), the horizontal crosspiece over a doorway, carrying the weight of the structure above it (Amos 9: 1 ): the blood of the sacrificial lamb was sprinkled on it (Ex. 12:22,23) when God was smiting the Egyptian firstborn to indicate to the angel of death which were Hebrew houses so that their occupants would not be harmed. See Passover. |
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little owl, the owl, a night bird of prey with a large head, eyes surrounded by stiff-feathered disks, a short, hooked beak, feathered legs with sharp talons, and soft plumage which permits noiseless flight (Lev. 11:17; Deut. 14:16): distinguished from the great owl.
locust (lo'kast), a large winged insect related to the grasshopper and cricket: there are many varieties of locust but the kinds, described in Joel (1:4; 2:25) may have been one variety in its four stages of development: certain locusts travel in large swarms destroying nearly all vegetation in their path (Deut. 28:42; Ps. 105:34); certain locusts were edible and were designated as clean food (Lev. 11:22; Matt. 3: 4); the bald locust (apparently a term descriptive of the insect's appearance) was one of these (Lev. 11:22).
log (log), a unit of Hebrew liquid measure, used especially for oil, equal to about one pint: Lev. 14:10,21.
longsffering (long'suf'ar-ing),
adj. not easily provoked; tolerant: Num. 14: 18; Ps. 86: 15. -n.
1. long and patient endurance
of injuries, insults, trouble, etc.: Rom. 9:22; Eph. 4:2. 2. the use of
self-control; restraint: Jer. 15: 15; II Pet. 3: 15.
looking-glass (look'ing-glas"), a smooth, polished, metal surface that reflects the images of objects, usually made of a metal alloy or of silver, and often having a handle; mirror: Ex. 38:8; Job 37:18: also called glass (I Cor. 13:12).
Lord
of hosts, God, thought of as the leader of the armies, or hosts, of
Israel (I Sam. 17:45; II Sam. 7:26); hence, the leader of the armies of the
universe (Ps. 24:10; 46:7,11): this term probably rose out of the popular
conception of the times that the entire universe was organized into a vast
army made up of a multitude of divisions (Israel constituting one of these
divisions), all of which were under the supreme command of God.
Lord's day, the day especially associated with the Lord Jesus Christ, hut the expression itself is found only once in the New Testament: Rev. 1:10. Various interpretations have been suggested: 1) that John was speaking of the Sabbath; 2) that it is the same as "the day of the Lord" mentioned in the Second Epistle of Peter where it evidently refers to the day of the second advent; 3) that it refers to the first day of the week (Sunday), the day on which the early Christians assembled to worship (I Cor. 16:2). This day was observed in the early Church to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (John 20:1-19).
Lord's Prayer, the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples: Matt. 6:9-13 (a shorter version appears in Luke 11:2-4).
Lord's Supper, 1. the name given by Paul (I Cor. 11:20) to the meal Jesus shared with his disciples before He was crucified: at this Passover feast held in an upper room in Jerusalem, Jesus (speaking the words of institution, Matt. 26:26-28) blessed bread and wine and instructed the disciples to eat and drink them in His memory and the memory of His sacrifice (Matt. 26; Mark 14; Luke 22). 2. the sacrament of Holy Communion instituted at, and commemorating, this feast.
lot (lot), 1. an object used in deciding a matter, a number of these being placed in a container and then drawn or cast out one by one (Num. 26: 55; Josh. 19: 1): it was believed that God made His will known by determining which object would be drawn or cast out (Acts 1:24-26). 2. the use of such an object or objects in determining a matter: Num. 33:54; 34:13. 3. what a person receives as a result of such a decision: Josh. 15:1. 4. one's portion or fate in life: Jer. 13:25. -cast lots, to decide an issue by using lots: Isa. 34: 17.
love
feast, a social meal held by members of the original Christian
community in connection with the celebration of the sacrament of the Lord's
supper. All distinctions of rank, wealth, and culture were ignored at these
gatherings as the people
shared this feast to promote Christian fellowship and brotherly love. A
collection was often taken for the poor and the needy, especially the
widows. Also called agape and feast of charity (Jude 12).
lovingkindness ( luv'ing-kind-nis), kindness and mercy resulting from and expressing love: said of God's attitude toward man and never used of a feeling or emotion experienced by man (Ps. 36: 10; Isa. 63:7; Jer. 9:24).
low country, low plains, etc., the region of Israel between the central range of hills and the seacoast: II Chr. 9:27; 26:10; 28:18.
lowest hell, a place in the depths of the earth where the dead go (Deut. 32:22; Ps. 86:13): some thought of hell as having more than one level, the lowest one being reserved for the wicked.
lowring (lour'ing), dark and threatening, as if about to rain; lowering: Matt. 16:3.
Lubim (loo'bim), a member of a people of northern Mrica, probably Libya, who assisted the Egyptians in invading Palestine: II Chr. 12:3; Nah. 3:9.
Lucifer (loo'sa-far), the planet Venus when it is the morning star (Isa. 14:12): it has come to be a name given to Satan before his fall because of an interpretation by early scholars that Luke 10:18 alluded to the passage in Isaiah.
lucre (loo'kar),
money; riches; wealth (I Sam. 8:3): in the New Testament, used only in the
phrase "filthy lucre," meaning
money or wealth obtained by dishonest or unworthy means (I Tim. 3:3,8; Tit.
1:7, 11; I Peter 5:2).
lunatick (loo'na-tik),
a person afflicted with intermittent insanity which supposedly changed in
intensity with the phases of the moon (Matt. 4:24; 17':15): now spelled
lunatic. It is now generally believed that the disease being described was
epilepsy.
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