sabacthani (sa-bak'tha-ni), hast thou forsaken me?: an Aramaic word that was part of the exclamation of Jesus on the cross: Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34. See also Eloi.
Sabaoth (sa-ba'ath, sab'i-oth), hosts; armies: used in the phrase Lord of Sabaoth (Rom. 9:29; James 5:4). See Lord of hosts.
sabbath (sab'ath), the seventh day of the Jewish week, set aside by the fourth Commandment for rest and worship (Ex. 16:23; Lev. 23:3): it lasted from Friday at sunset to Saturday sunset. The institution of the sabbath is traditionally associated with the creation. The sabbath was established to give man a physical rest and spiritual inspiration while reminding him that he was one of God's chosen people (Ex. 31:13). In Moses' time the Israelites were exhorted to keep the sabbath as a special obligation to God for His deliverance of them from slavery in Egypt (Deut. 5: 15). Nevertheless, the sabbath does not seem to have been observed with strictness until after the Exile. Then literal obedience to the law of keeping the sabbath began to be carried to extremes by the observance of even the most minute detail. This practice had become so exaggerated by New Testament times, especially as followed by ritualistic priests and the Pharisees, that Jesus condemned these restrictive and burdensome customs. He pointed out that "The sabbath Was made for man, and not man for the sabbath (Mark 2:27). 'He taught that performing works of mercy was lawful anytime. Following this idea of "the sabbath was been made for man," He encouraged the continuance of the custom, begun during the the Exile, of meeting in the synagogues, worshiping, and studying the Law (Mark 1:21). The Christian sabbath is celebrated on the first day of the week in commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2).
sabbath, covert for the, possibly, a covered hall or colonnade within the temple court through which the king and his attendants passed when he visited the temple: II Kings 16: 18.
sabbath day's journey, the distance that a person was permitted to travel. On the sabbath, probably about 2,000 cubits, or 3,000 to 3,600 feet, which is the approximate distance between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives: Acts 1:12.
sackbut (sak'but), a stringed musical instrument resembling a lyre: Dan. 3:5.
| sackcloth (sak'kloth ), a coarse, rough, dark-colored cloth, probably made from the hair of a goat or camel: it may have been simply in the form of a loin cloth, a sack like garment with openings for the head and limbs: originally worn as a necessary article of dress it was later put on only on solemn occasions, as at a time of mourning, as a symbol of a person's repentance or remorse (Gen. 37:34; II Kings 19:1; Esther 4:1; Luke 10:13). |
|
sacrament (sak'ra-mant), any of certain rites ordained by Jesus and performed as an outward and visible sign pledging inward and spiritual grace and serving as an instrument for strengthening faith; some churches believe that the sacraments are a means of grace in the sense that the Holy Spirit uses them to communicate the grace which is offered to all in the Gospel. Protestant churches generally recognize baptism and the Lord's Supper as sacraments; also called ordinances.
sacrifice (sak'ra-fis), 1. an offering to God or a god for purposes of gaining favor, avoiding disaster, or showing one's honor and respect (Gen. 31:54; Lev. 7:12; II Kings 5:17); especially, an animal slain and brought before the altar as such an offering (Deut. 18:3; II Chr. 7:5). See offering. 2. the ceremony in which the offering was prepared, brought to the altar, and consumed: Ezra 9:5; Dan. 8:11.
Sadducee (saj'oo-se, sad 'yoo-se ), a member of a strict sect of Jews at the time of Jesus that believed in the unswerving observance of the Mosaic law and rejected the oral law which had been handed down by tradition and which was particularly espoused by the Pharisees; furthermore, they denied the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels and spirits. They sought the adoption of Hellenic culture. The Sadducees were of an aristocratic, educated class many of whom were high priests and members of the Sanhedrin; therefore, they came into good standing with the ruling Romans and were unpopular with the people. They joined the Pharisees in asking Jesus questions (Matt. 16: 1) that revealed their mistrust of Him; Jesus in turn warned the people of their deceptive teachings (Matt. 16:6). Many believe the Sadducees to be descended from the high priest Zadok (Ezek. 40:46).
saffron (saf'ran), a plant with purplish flowers and orange stigmas which yield a dye, seasoning, and medicine: Song 4:14.
saint (sant), 1. a person who is faithful to God; one who has dedicated himself to God; holy person: I Sam. 2:9; II Chr. 6:41; Ps. 31:23, 2. one of God's chosen people: one who belongs exclusively to Him through faith in His son: Rom. 1:1; I Cor. 16:1; Eph. 1:4.
Samaritan (sa-mar'a-tan), a native or inhabitant of Samaria, a region south of Galilee in Jesus' time: the Samaritans were a group of non-Jewish people who were settled in this region by the Assyrians when they took the Israelites into captivity in the 8th century B.C.; they intermarried with the few remaining Israelites and adopted much of their religion, especially the five books of Moses (Pentateuch) which became their only sacred book. Upon the Jews' return from exile the Samaritans sought to help them rebuild the temple; their assistance was rejected, creating a breach between the two groups which continued to widen until the Samaritans built their own temple. This hostility (John 4:9) was so intense by Jesus' time that He used a Samaritan as the subject of a parable (Luke 10:30-36) to illustrate the evil of prejudice and to teach the benefits of true neighborliness.
samech ( sa'mek ), the fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet: it appears at the beginning of the fifteenth section of Psalms 119.
sanctuary (sangk'choo-ar-e), 1. a holy place set aside for the worship of God, especially the temple or tabernacle: Num. 3:38; Heb. 9:2. 2. the most holy place: Lev. 16:33. 3. any place where God chose to make His presence known to His people: Ps. 114:2. 4. a place of idolatrous worship, as one of the high places built to false gods: Lev. 26:31. 5. a place of refuge or protection (Ps. 78:54), especially a house of worship where fugitives were immune from arrest. 6. God Himself as a means of protection for His people: Ezek. 11:16.
Sanhedrin (san'hi-drin, san-hed'rin), see council (sense 1).
sapphire (saf'ir), probably, an azure-blue, opaque, semi-precious stone, a mixture of various minerals, known today as lapis lazuli, and not the variety of corundum which is now called sapphire, for this stone is believed to have been unknown in ancient times: Ex. 28:18; Isa. 54:11.
sardius (sar'di-us), a red variety of chalcedony (a kind of quartz), called carnelian today: Rev. 21:20: also called sardine stone (Rev. 4:3). This is probably the same stone that was one of the twelve worn in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest (Ex. 28:17; 39:10; Ezek. 28:13), but some scholars think it may have been the ruby.
sardonyx (sar' da-niks), a variety of onyx made up of alternating layers of white chalcedony and orange-red chalcedony: Rev. 21:20.
satyr (sat'ar, sa'tar), a goat like demon which supposedly lived in the desert and was to dance in the ruins of Babylon and the cities of Edom: Isa. 13:21; 34: 14. In Greek mythology, a satyr was a woodland deity, an attendant on Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry, represented as being half goat and half man, and thought of as fond of riotous merriment and lechery: if this was not the object of idolatrous worship being alluded to, perhaps a goat-shaped idol was meant.
savour (sa'var), n. 1. a particular smell or taste: Lev. 26:31; Eccles. 10:1. 2. a sacrifice offered to God which He was pleased to accept: usually sweet savour: Ex. 29:18; Num. 15:3. 3. figuratively, the quality of God's knowledge which allows all men to become aware of it: II Cor. 2: 14,16. -v. to enjoy with appreciation: Matt. 16:23; Mark 8:33. In American English this word is spelled savor.
savoury meat, good-tasting food: said of the food prepared for Isaac by his sons Jacob and Esau: Gen. 21:4,9,14.
scabbard (skab'ard), a sheath or case to hold the blade of a sword, dagger, etc.: Jer.47:6.
scaffold ( skf'ald ), a platform which Solomon had built for the dedicatory services of the temple, upon which he knelt to pray: II Chr. 6:13.
scall (skol), any scaly, or scabby, disease of the skin, as psoriasis and eczema: Lev. 13:30-37; 14:54.
sceptre (sep'tar), a rod or staff held by a ruler on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of authority and supreme power; hence, this authority and power (Num. 24:17; Amos 1:5,8). In American English this word is spelled scepter.
schin (shin), the twenty-first letter of the Hebrew alphabet: it appears at the beginning of the twenty-first section of Psalm 119.
schism (sizam), severe differences of opinion which threaten to bring about a division of the Church: I Cor. 12:25.
schoolmaster (skool'mas"tar), a servant or
slave whose duty was to supervise the conduct and morals of children and see
that they attended school: the schoolmaster was usually required to be quite
strict as compared with a milder discipline handed out by the parent, hence
the figurative use of this term meaning the Mosaic law and indicating that
the Christian through the discipline of this law became aware of what was
expected of him, was made aware of his sin, and was prepared to receive
Christ as his Redeemer (Gal.
3:24,25).
scorner (skorn'ar), a person who shows a mocking contempt for God and for his threats and judgments against sinners: I Provo 21:11; Isa. 29:20.
scorpion (skor'pi-an), 1. a spider like animal with a pair of nipping claws and a long, slender, jointed tail ending in a poisonous sting: Ezek. 2:6; Luke 19. 2. a variety of whip, or scourge: figuratively for harsh disciplinary measures: I Kings 12:11.
scourge (skurj), n. 1. a whip of cords or leather throngs fastened to a handle, used for flogging: John 2:15. 2. any means of inflicting severe punishment, suffering, or vengeance: Isa. 10:26; 28:15. -v. 1. to whip, as with a scourge; flog severely: Matt. 27:26; Mark 15:15; Acts 22:25. 2. to punish severely: Heb. 12:6.
scrabble (skrab'al), to scribble: make meaningless marks: I Sam. 21:23.
screech owl, in Babylonian mythology, an evil female demon believed to be active at night: Isa. 34:14.
scribe (skrib), 1. a government clerk or public secretary: Esther 3:12; Isa. 36:3. 2. a teacher of the Jewish law: originally, a public secretary whose job was to copy the law gradually the scribes took on the responsibility of also interpreting and teaching the law; by New Testament times they had developed into a class of professionals who were devoted to the law's preservation and exposition: from the time of the Exile they took it upon themselves to establish requirements for fulfilling the law: these details accumulated to such an extent throughout the years that only those strictly devoted to mastering this "oral law" were equipped to explain it to the common people. Their familiarity with the law allowed the scribes to take on a role of growing importance in Jewish society-teaching in the synagogues, serving as judges, and becoming members of the Sanhedrin Jesus refused to accept the mass of detail and the superficial technicalities which they affixed to the law, and accused them of hypocritical interpretations of the law. For these reasons they opposed His teachings and were one of the groups, as were the Pharisees, that helped plot His death (Matt. 5:20; 21:15; Mark 10:33; i4:53; Luke 11:44; 20:46; John 8:3; Acts 4:5; 6:12).
scrip (scrip), 1. a small bag in which stones to be used in a sling were carried: , I Sam. 17:40. 2. a small bag or satchel, usually slung over the shoulder, for carrying provisions while on a Journey: Matt. 10; Luke 9:3.
scripture (skrip'char), 1. the sacred writings of the Hebrews (the Old Testament writings). 2. the writings of both the Old Testament and New Testament. 3. in the New Testament, a document (Luke 16:6; Acts 28:21). 4. the law Rom. 2:27; IICor.3:6).
scum (skum), an unclean or impure quality; uncleanness: some translators prefer "rust" as the symbolic term for uncleanness in these verses (Ezek. 24:6,11,12).
scurvy (skur've), a skin disease characterized by a dry, scaly coating: Lev. 21:20; 22:22.
seal (sel), 1. a design, initial, or other mark placed on something, as a letter or document to prove its authenticity, on a manufactured item for identification, etc.: a signet engraved with such a seal was a necessary part of every man's belongings since a seal took the place of a signature. I Kings 21:8. 2. something that confirms or authenticates, as circumcision was the seal of righteousness of Abraham (Rom. 4: 11 ). 3. any indication or sign, as of God's approval (II Tim. 2: 19) or promise (II Cor. 1:22).
Sebat (se'bat), the eleventh month (January-February) of the Hebrew calendar (Zech. 1:7), having 30 days. It is the fifth month of the modern Hebrew calendar.
Second Coming, the expected return of Christ to earth bringing to an end the present. age (Matt. 24 ). Just how this great event will manifest itself and what effect it will have on mankind are bases of significant differences among various Christian groups.
second death, the fate of the wicked after the resurrection: those who have achieved righteousness will be spared, but the judgment of the wicked will find them being cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 2:11; 20:14; 21:8).
seducer (si-doos'ar), a person who persuades himself and others to be disloyal or disobedient to God: II Tim. 3:13.
seer (ser), a person who foretells the future: known for visions which enabled him to get glimpses of the divine world and obtain knowledge of future happenings: I Sam. 9:9; I Chr. 9:22; Amos 7:12.
seethe (seth), 1. to cook by boiling: Deut. 14:21; II Kings 4:38. 2. to boil: Job 41:20.
selah (se'la), a Hebrew word found frequently at the end of a verse in the Psalms: its meaning is unknown, but it is often interpreted as a musical or liturgical direction, such as the indication for a pause or rest or a sign for a sudden outburst of singing or sounding of instruments. See also Hab. 3:3,9,13.
selfsame (self'sam), 1. exactly the same; identical; (the) very same: Matt. 8: 13. 2. very; very same; actual: I Cor. 12:11; 11 Cor. 5:5; 7:11.
selfwill ( self'wil ), a persistent carrying out of one's own will or wishes; stubbornness: Gen. 49:6.
seller of purple, a merchant whose business was the selling of purple garments (Acts 16: 14): purple was a costly dye obtained from the fluid of a marine mollusk; the garments dyed with it were highly priced and, as a result, became badges of wealth and royalty.
selvedge (sel'vij), a specially woven edge that prevents cloth or fabric from raveling: used on the curtains of the sanctuary of the tabernacle, which were joined at these edges (Ex. 26:4; 36:11).
Sennacherib (sa-nak'a-rib), ?-681 B.C.; king of Assyria (705-681 B.C.), whose capital was at Nineveh (11 Kings 19:20): his armies captured all of the fortified cities of Judah (11 Kings 18:31). He was assassinated by his two sons.
separate place, the unoccupied area just next to the temple, set aside as a holy place: Ezek.41:12,13,14.
Septuagint (sep'too-a-jint), a Greek translation of the Old Testament: the name is derived from the Latin septuaginta meaning "seventy," because of the ancient tradition that it was completed in 70 (or 72) days by 72 Palestinian Jews in the 3rd century B.C., for Ptolemy II, king of Egypt.
sepulchre (sep'al-kar), a vault for burial; grave; tomb: it was usually a natural cave or one cut out of rock or a stone- cliff and closed off by a large stone:IKings13:31; I Chr.35:24;Matt.21:60.Sepulchres were deliberately made difficult to get to and the entrances were frequently white-washed so that they could be seen clearly: these precautions were taken so that they would not be touched, for contact with the dead meant defilement. The whitewashed sepulchre is thought to be the basis of Jesus' comparison of "whited sepulchres" with the scribes and Pharisees ( Matt. 23:27) who had the outward appearance of cleanliness and beauty but were inwardly rotten. In American English this word is spelled sepulcher.
seraphim (ser'a-fim), the highest of the nine orders of angels, represented as having three pairs of wings: Isa. 6:2,6. The seraphim are guardians of the throne of God as they sing His praises and act as symbols of ardent devotion.
servitor (sur'va-tar), a person who serves another; servant or attendant: II Kings 4:43.
settle (set'al), either of the two lower ledges of the altar in the temple: Ezek. 43:14,17.
sever (sev'ar), 1. to set apart: Deut. 4:41; Ezek. 39: 14. 2. to separate; make or become distinct: Ex. 8:22; Matt. 13:49.
several (sev'ar-al), separate; distinct: II Kings 15:5; II Chr. 11:12.
shadow of death, a region of extreme darkness as a symbol of gloom, distress, death, etc.: Job 10:21; Isa. 9:2; Jer. 2:6. Also, symbolic of "ignorance": Matt. 4: 16.
| shambles (sham'balz), a place where meat is sold; meat market: I Cor. 10:25. |
|
shamefacedness (sham'fas'id-nis), lack of excesses or pretensions; decency: I Tim. 2:9.
shapen ( shap'an ), past participle of shape; brought forth; created: Ps. 51:5.
sheaf (shef), a bunch of cut stalks of grain bound up in a bundle (Gen. 37:7; Job 24:10): a sheaf dropped or overlooked in the field was to remain there for the poor (Deut. 24:19).
shearing house, probably, a gathering place for shepherds: site of Jehu's slaughter of the 42 members of the royal house of Ahaziah, king of Judah (II Kings 10: 12, 14).
sheepcote (shep'kot), same as sheepfold: II Sam. 7:8; I Chr. 17:7.
| sheepfold (shep'fold), a yard or enclosure for sheep: Num. 32:16; Judg. 5:16. |
|
shekel (shek'al), 1. a unit of weight used by the Hebrews, Babylonians, etc., equal to about half an ounce: Gen. 24:22; II Sam. 14:26. 2. a half-ounce gold or silver coin of the Hebrews: Neh. 10:32; Jer. 32:9.
shekel of the sanctuary, a type of shekel
used for religious purposes, as for offerings, the payments of vows, etc.:
Ex. 30:13; Num. 3:47. Whether or not this coin was of the same value as the
shekel used in ordinary business transactions is a matter of
conjecture.
sheminith (shem'i-nith), a musical term
probably referring to an eight-stringed instrument that was to be played:
the theory that sheminith indicated a playing or singing in "octaves" is now
generally not accepted. I Chr. 15:21; Psalm 6 and 12, titles.
sherd (shurd), a fragment or broken piece of pottery; potsherd: Isa. 30: 14; Ezek. 23:34.
sheriff (sher'if), a government official of unknown rank: the meaning of this term is uncertain (Dan. 3:2,3).
shew (sho), show: Deut. 13:17; Dan. 2:24.
| shewbread (sho'bred), the twelve loaves of unleavened bread placed on a table at the altar before God every sabbath by the Hebrew priests and eaten by them alone within the sanctuary at the end of the week: it was considered the most sacred of all offerings, given as a recognition that God is the provider of the nourishment that sustains the worshiper (I Sam. 21:6; I Chr. 9:32; II Chr. 4:19). |
|
Shibboleth (shib'a-lath), the test word used by the Gileadites to distinguish the escaping Ephraimites who could not pronounce the initial sh: Judg. 12:6.
Shiggaion (shi-ga'yan), a musical term of unknown meaning: according to some speculations it refers to a type of wildly emotional, enthusiastic song or hymn: Ps. 7 title.
Shigionoth (Shig-l-o nath), plural of Shiggaion. Hab. 3:1.
Shiloh (shi'lo), a proper name (Gen. 49:10) of uncertain significance. Some think that it is a proper name for the Messiah and therefore is a prophetic statement of His coming; others prefer to consider it as a reference to the city of Shiloh in central Palestine to which Judah will come after the conquest; still others consider that it may not be a proper name at all but a phrase meaning until "he (comes) to whom it belongs."
shipman (ship'man), pl. shipmen, a sea man; sailor: I Kings 9:24; Acts 27:30.
shipmaster (ship'mas"tar), the officer in command of a merchant ship; captain: John 1:6; Rev. 18:17.
shittah tree (shit'a), a kind of acacia tree with close-grained, yellowish-brown wood: Isa. 41:19.
shittim wood (shit'im), the wood of the shittah tree, used in making the Ark of the Covenant and parts of the Jewish tabernacle: Ex. 25:10; 26:32.
shiver (shiv'ar), a fragment or splinter of something broken: Rev. 2:27.
shoelatchet (shoo'lach"it), a strap or lace for fastening a sandal or shoe to the foot: Gen. 14:23; John 1:27.
Shoshannim (sho-shan'im), Lilies: it appears in the titles of Psalms 45,69, and 80. The significance of the term is obscure, but there are several hypothetical explanations including 1) that the Psalm was to be played by a lily-shaped instrument; 2) that the reference is to the symbolic contents of the Psalm, as a lily would suggest a song of springtime; 3) that the reference is to the lily-work on the pillars or the brasen sea near which the Psalm was customarily sung; 4) that Lilies or (in Psalm 80, Shoshannim-Eduth) Lilies of the Testimony were titles of popular melodies of the day, to the tune of which the Psalm was to be sung. Shushan in the title of Psalm 60 is the singular.
shoulderpiece (shol'dar-pes), a part of the high priest's ephod at the upper arm, joining the front flap with the back flap making the garment into one piece: Ex. 28:7,25.
Shushan-Eduth (shoo'shan-e'dooth), Lily of the Testimony: see Shoshannim.
side chamber, anyone of thirty chambers arranged in three stories, surrounding the central structure of the temple: they were for the exclusive use of the priests: Ezek. 1:5,6,9.
side post, a vertical piece of wood constituting the side of a doorway: Ex. 22,23.
sides (sidz), 1. plural of side. 2. the interior of a ship below decks; hold: John 1:5.
sieve (siv), a utensil having many small openings of a size allowing passage only to fine, loose particles, used in separating the chaff from the grain: used figuratively for testing nations; anything not remaining in the sieve was considered worthless and was to be discarded (Isa. 30:28; Amos 9:9, cf. Luke22:31).
| signet (sig'nit), a seal, especially one used in place of a signature in marking documents official: it was engraved in metal, precious stone, glass, etc. and set in a ring (signet ring, Dan. 6: 17 ) or hung on a cord, about the neck: Ex. 2,8:11,21; Jer. 22:24. |
|
silverling sil'var-ling), a piece of silver; silver shekel: Isa. 7:23.
similitude (sa-mi1'a-tood), 1. form, image, or likeness: Ps. 106:20; Rom. 5:14. 2. a parable: Hos. 12:10.
sin (sin), a willful transgression of the law of God: want of conformity to His will. The most characteristic feature of sin is that it is directed against God: Ps. 51:4. Sin consists not solely in overt evil deeds but includes the attitudes and disposition of the heart (Mark 7:20-23; Provo 4:23). The sin of Adam and Eve is thought to have had a unique significance for the entire human race: Rom. 5:12-14; I Cor, 15:22. In Bible teachings sin is linked with the questions of judgment and forgiveness (Exod. 34:6; II Chr. 7:14; Jer. 31:34). The essence of sin has been thought of as pride, choosing of self in place of God.
sinew (sin'u), an inelastic cord of tough tissue by which muscles are attached to bones; tendon (Job 10.:11): because of Jacob's thigh injury the Israelites avoided eating the sinew of the thigh ( Gen. 32:32). It is used as a symbol of power and strength (Isa. 48:4).
sin offering, a sacrificial offering made for the purpose of gaining forgiveness for a sin, especially one committed through ignorance or without intention. The ritual called for the individual to place his hand on the head of the offering, designating it as his substitute, then killing the victim. Following this he sprinkled the blood before the veil and on the horns of the altar and poured the remainder at the base of the altar, disposing of the body by dividing it into three portions-one burned on the altar, the second burned away from city, and the third given to the priests (Lev. 4). A special sin offering was made for all the people each year on the Day of Atonement.
sith (sith), since: Ezek.35:6.
Sivan (siv'an, si-van'), the third month (May-June) of the Hebrew calendar (Esther 8:9), having 30 days. It is the ninth month of the modem Jewish calendar.
skull, the place of a, see Golgotha: Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22.
slaughter, valley of, see Tophet: Jer. 7:32.
sleight (slit), cunning or craft used in deceiving: Eph. 4:14.
slime (slim), a brown or black tar like substance, a variety of bitumen, found in a natural state in pits (slime pits, Gen. 14:10) around the Dead Sea: used as a mortar for between bricks and as a waterproofing substance for boats (Gen. 11 :3; 51 Ex. 2:3).
sling (sling), a weapon for throwing stones (sling stones, Job 41:28), consisting of a piece of leather, band of woven rushes, etc., tied to a cord at each end and whirled by hand: when one cord was released the stone was also released (I Sam. 17:40,50; II Chr. 26:14).
slinger (sling'ar), a warrior who used a sling as a weapon: II Kings 3:25.
snuff ( snuf), to express contempt by sniffing: Mal. 1:13. -snuff the wind, to breathe heavily; pant: Jer. 2:24; 14:6
snuffdish (snuf' dish), a tray like container
for carrying the burned portions of the wicks of candles from the temple or
tabernacle: Ex. 25:38; 37:23; Num. 4:9.
snuffers (snuf'arz), a tong like instrument for clipping off the charred end of a candlewick: I Kings 7:50; II Chr. 4:22.
socket (sok'it), a hollow receptacle forming a base, into which a pillar was set: there were sixty pillars in the tabernacle, from which the curtains were hung: Ex. 27:12.; 38:.12.
sod (sod), past tense of seethe: II Chr. 35:13.
sodden (sod'an), past participle of seethe: Ex. 12:9; I Sam. 2:15.
sodering (sod'ar-ing), the joining of metal surfaces or parts with a melted metal alloy which hardens when it cools: Isa. 41:7. Today this word is spelled soldering.
sodomite (sod'am-it), one who practiced the vices of Sodom which are intimated in Gen. 19:5: These practices were considered an abomination and were strictly prohibited (Deut. 23:17): not necessarily an inhabitant of Sodom but named after that city because of its reputation for such wickedness (I Kings 14:24; II Kings 23:7).
sojourn (so'jurn), v. to live somewhere temporarily: Gen. 26:3; Judg. 19: 16; Isa. 52:4. n. a brief or temporary stay, especially the time spent by the tribes of Jacob in Egypt before the Exodus (Gen. 47; Deut. 26:5).
sojourner (so'jurn-ar), a person who visits another land temporarily; especially, a foreigner: Gen. 23:4; Lev. 25:23,35; I Chr. 29:15.
solemn assembly, a religious gathering of the Israelites (Joel 1:14; Amos 5:21), especially one held on the seventh day of Passover (Deut. 16:8) and on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Num. 29:35).
solemnity (sa-lem'na-te), pl. solemnities a regular, usually yearly, ceremony, ritual, feast, etc.: Deut. 31:10; Ezek. 45:17.
Solomon's porch, a section of the colonnade, or portico, on the east side of the temple: John 10:23; Acts 3:11; 5:12.
Son of God, Jesus Christ: a name used as a reference to His divine nature as the second person of the Godhead, and indicating that the basis of His existence is in God, the Father: Matt. 27 :43,54; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; 22:70; John 11:4; 20:31.
son of man, 1: a man; human being: Num. 23:
19; Ezek. 8: 15. 2. Son of man, Jesus Christ: a name given by Jesus to
himself (Matt. 24:30; Mark 8:38), probably as a reference to Daniel's dream
(Dan. 7: 13) and as a means of identifying himself as God's messenger who,
on a mission from heaven, was to be man's redeemer and ultimate judge and,
in the image of man, man's representative before
God.
sons of God, 1. man as the creation of God (Luke3:38) 2. the offspring of godlike beings and earth women (Gen. 6:4) 3. probably, angels (Job 1:6; r 38:7). In the New Testament, the phrase indicates the believers' relationship to God through adoption (Rom. 14; Phil. 2: 15 ).The teachings of Jesus disclose that God's purpose was to bring men into a conscious filial relationship with Himself, and consequently into brotherhood with one another.
soothsayer (sooth'sa'ar), a person who predicts or pretends to foretell the future, as by interpreting dreams, communicating with the raised spirits of dead persons, etc.: a soothsayer was considered to act under the influence of evil forces; his practice was forbidden and seeking his consultation was prohibited: Isa. 2:6; Dan. 2:27; Acts 16:16.
sop (sop), a piece of food, especially bread, used for dipping up broth or other liquid food (John 13:26,27,30): a sop was customarily used for eating that which could not be picked up with the fingers.
sorcerer (sor'sar-ar), a person who supposedly has the ability of exercising a supernatural power over people and their affairs; one who practices any of the occult arts, as soothsaying, necromancy, astrology, etc.: a general term for anyone engaged in occult divination regarded as evil in Israel and the practice of which was prohibited: Jer. 27 :9; Mal. 3:5; Acts 13:6.
sorceress (sor'sar-is), a female sorcerer: Isa. 57:3.
sorcery (sor'sar-e), pl. sorceries, the practice of a sorcerer, especially the type of black magic in which spells are cast, charms are used, and potions are brewed for a harmful or sinister purpose: Isa. 47:9; Acts 8:9,11.
sottish (sot'ish), stupid: Jer. 4:22
spearman (sper'man), a warrior armed with a spear: Acts 23:23. In the only other passage in which this word appears it seems to be a mistranslation for "beasts that dwell among the reeds" (Ps. 68:30).
spicery (spis'ar-e), spices: Gen. 37: 25.
spikenard (spik'nard), a fragrant ointment made from the dried roots of a plant growing in India: Song 1: 12; 4: 13,14. It was transported in alabaster boxes to preserve its fragrance: Mark 14:3; John 12:3.
spoil (spoil), n. goods, territory, etc., taken by force, as in warfare; plunder; booty: Gen. 49:27; Ezek. 29:19: also spoils (Josh. 7:21). 1. to seize (goods) by force: Hos. 13: 15; Matt. 12:29. 2. to strip (a person) of goods, money. etc. by force: Isa. 11:14; Ezek. 39:10. 3. to rob; pillage; plunder: II Chr. 14:14; Hab. 2:8. 4. to destroy; devastate; ruin: Jer. 10:20; Hos. 10:14.
spoiler (spoil'ar), a person or thing that spoils, especially one that robs and plunders (Judg. 2:14; I Sam. 13:17) or one that ruins and destroys (Isa. 16:4; Jer. 6:26).
spue (spu), to throw up from or as from the stomach; vomit: Lev. 18:28; Jer. 25: 27. The more common spelling of this word is spew.
spunge (spunj), the tough, fibrous skeleton of a plantlike sea animal, which can absorb many times its own weight in liquids: in Biblical times, sponges were used as mops, paint brushes, etc.; a sponge was soaked with vinegar and offered to Jesus while He was on the cross: Matt. 27 :48; Mark 15:36. Today this word is spelled sponge.
stablish (stab'lish), to establish: I Chr. 18:3; James 5:8.
stacte (stak'te), a fragrant resin used as an ingredient of the holy incense: Ex. 30:34. It is thought to have exuded in drops from an Asiatic tree or shrub which may have been the storax, but which more scholars think was the myrrh.
standardbearer (stan'dard-bar-ar), the man assigned to carry the flag or banner of his army or his people: he was considered a symbol of their strength and unity: Isa. 10:18.
standing image, a heathen idol or graven image, possibly a symbol of sun worship or phallic worship: Lev. 26:1.
stargazer (star'gaz-ar), a person who claims to foretell the future by studying the movement of the stars; astrologer: Isa. 47:13.
statute (stach'oot), an established rule or law, especially a rule of conduct usually developing out of custom and formulated into a law declaring what is right: I Kings 3:3; Jer. 44:23; Ezek. 33:15.
stay (sta), n, an arm rest: I Kings 10:19; II Chr. 9:18.
stead (sted), 1. the place or position of a person or thing as filled by a replacement, substitute, or successor: II Sam. 16:8; I 8 Kings 1:35. Often used in the books of Kings and Chronicles in the phrase reigned in his stead. 2. a place: Gen. 30:2; Job 16:4. 3. behalf; interest: II Cor. 5:20; Philemon 13.
steel (stel), a metal of iron alloyed with carbon: apparently not the material indicated in II Sam. 22:35; Job 20:24; Ps. 18:34; Jer. 15:12: bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, a much more malleable metal, is probably the material meant.
steward (stoo'ard), 1. a person put in charge of the affairs of a large household: Gen. 15:2; I Kings 16:9. 2. a minister as the caretaker of the church of God: I Cor. 4:1; Tit. 1:7. 3. a Christian as the guardian, protector, and caretaker of God's gifts and graces: I Pet. 4:10.
stiffhearted (stif'har'tid), stubborn; obstinate: Ezek.2:4.
stiffnecked (stif'nekt'), stubborn obstinate: Deut. 9:6; II Chr.30:8.
stocks (stoks), 1. an instrument of punishment, especially one consisting of a heavy wooden frame with holes for confining an offender's ankles and, sometimes his wrists and neck (Jer. 20:2,3; 29:26). 2. wooden idols used as objects of idolatrous worship: Hos. 4: 12.
Stoick (sto'ik), a member of a Greek school
of philosophy founded about 308 B.C. Stoicks believed that all happenings
were the result of divine will and that therefore man should be calmly
accepting and free from passion, grief, or joy; they believed that all
things are part of the single system of nature, which is controlled by fixed
laws, and that virtue is the sole good. Since they preached universal
brotherhood their morality was commonly supposed to be closely allied with
Christianity, but this is denied since pride and individual independence
were two of the essential tenets of the Stoick philosophy, both of which run
counter to the Christian principles of humility and faith in God. Acts 17:
18. Now spelled Stoic.
stomacher (stum'ak-ar), probably, a rich ornamental robe (Isa. 3:24), and not the garment called a stomacher today, which is an ornamented cloth worn by women over the chest and abdomen.
stonesquarer (ston'skwar-ar), a person who cuts stone to shape and uses it in making walls, buildings, etc.; stonemason: I Kings 5: 18.
store city, a town used as a supply depot for provisions, equipment, and, possibly arms: II Chr. 8:4; 17:12.
strait (strat), n. difficulty; distress: I Sam. 13:6; Job 36:16. -adj. 1. restricted or constricted; narrow; confined: II Kings 6:1; I~ 49:20. 2. strict; rigid: Acts 26:5.
straiten (strat'an), 1. to bring into difficulties; distress: Jer. 19:9. 2. to restrict or confine; hamper: II Cor. 6:12. 3. to make impatient: Mic. 2:7.
straitly (strat'le), 1. in a strict or rigid way, allowing for no deviation: Ex. 13: 19; Matt. 9:30. 2. in a secure way; tightly: Josh. 6:1.
strake (strak), v. past tense of strike, to lower or haul down a sail. -n. a streak or stripe of color: Gen. 30:37; Lev. 14:37.
strange fire, burning incense which was not made of the proper ingredients or made in some way contrary to the law: Lev. 10:1; Num. 3:4.
straw (stro), v. to scatter; spread here and there: Ex. 22:30; Matt. 21:8.
striker (strik'ar), a quarrelsome person: I Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7.
stripe (strip), a stroke with a whip or rod administered as a punishment: Ex. 21:25; Deut. 25:3; Acts. 16:23.
stubble ( stub'al), the short stumps of grain left standing after harvesting (Ex. 5: 12): because it burned readily and was blown about easily it became a symbol for that which lacked stability and therefore existed for only a short time: Isa. 33:11; 40:24; 47:14.
suborn (sa-born'), to get through bribery or other illegal methods: Acts 6: 11.
subtil (sut'al), 1. skillful or clever; deft: Gen. 3:1. 2. full of trickery and deceit; crafty; wily: I Sam. 23:22; II Sam. 13:3; Provo 7:10. The more common spelling of this word is subtle.
suburbs (sub'arbz), open land lying just outside of a city, used for pasturage: Lev. 25:34; Num. 35:3,7; Josh. 14:4.
succour (suk'ar), to aid; help; give assistance to in time of need or distress: II Sam. 8:5; 18:3; Heb. 2:18. In American English this word is spelled succor.
suit of apparel, a garment of expensive material, probably a festival robe: Judg. 17:10; Isa. 3:22.
Succoth-Benoth (suk'oth-be'noth), a god of the Babylonians, whose idol they set up and worshipped in Samaria: II Kings 17:30.
sunder (sun'dar), to break apart; separate; split: Job 4:17. -in sunder, into parts or pieces; apart: Ps. 107: 16; Isa. 45:2.
superfluous (soo-pur'floo-as), designating a part of the body, as a limb, that is deformed, as by a poorly healed fracture: an animal so afflicted could not be offered as a sacrifice and a person with such a defect could not officiate within the temple: Lev. 21:18; 22:23.
superscription (soo-pur-skrip'shan), the inscription on a coin: Mark 12:16; Luke 20:24. 2. the words printed on a board, designating the crime for which a person had been convicted: the board was carried before him on the way to his execution and hung above him on the cross: Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38.
supple (sup'al), to cleanse: Ezek. 16:4.
suppliant (sup'li-ant), a person who makes a humble plea: Zeph. 3:10.
supplication (sup'li-ka-shan), a humble prayer or request addressed to God: Acts 1:24; Eph. 6:18; I Tim. 2:1; 5:5. a plea to God for mercy: II Chr. 33:13; Dan. 9:3-20. 3. any earnest plea or request: Esther 4:8.
surety (shoor'te, shoor'a-te), a person who makes himself responsible for another, (Gen. 43:9); specifically, one who makes himself liable for another's debts, defaults obligation, etc.: this agreement was customarily consummated with the surety and the creditor "striking hands": Job 17:3; Ps. 119:122; Provo 6:1; 20:16. Jesus became the surety for the performance of promises of God as they relate to those who are to achieve salvation under the provisions of a "better Covenant" (Heb. 7:22). -of a surety, for a certainty; surely: Gen. 15: 13; 18: 13.
surfeiting (sur'fit-ing), the nausea and discomfort resulting from any kind of excess, especially the excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages: Luke 21:34.
swaddling clothes, the garments in which a
newborn baby was wrapped: these consisted of one or more square pieces of
cloth folded about the infant and held in place with long narrow bands of
cloth (swaddling bands) wrapped about him: Luke 2:7,12. Swaddling band
in Job 38:9 is a figurative equivalent of darkness.
sware (swar), past tense of swear: Dan. 12:7; Luke 1:73.
swelling (swel'ing), n. 1. a loud, roaring sound: Ps. 46:3. 2. something that is a source of pride: Jer. 12:5; 49: 19. -adj. showing excessive or unwarranted pride; boastful: II Pet. 2:18; Jude 16.
sycamine (sik'a-min), the black mulberry tree, cultivated for its fruit which resembles a large blackberry in appearance: Luke 17:6.
sycomore (sik'a-mor), a tree of Egypt and the Levant bearing figlike fruit ( Amos 7: 14 ): its light, durable wood is used as a building material and as fuel: II Chr. 1:15; 9:27; Luke 19:4.
synagogue (sin'a-gog), 1. a building or place used by Jews for worship and religious study: Luke 4:16; 7:5. The origin of the synagogue probably lies in the time of the Captivity when the Jews lost their worship in the temple and the condition of the Exile emphasized their need for this worship and for religious instruction: after the Exile meetings began to take place each sabbath in which the scribes would explain the law to the members of the congregation; the affairs of the synagogue were under the general direction of the elders: there was a ruler of the synagogue who was probably elected by the congregation and who had responsibility for the building and property and the general supervision of public worship (cf. Luke 13:14), including the appointing of persons to read the scripture and the inviting of strangers to address the congregation (Acts 13:15); this explains how Jesus was able to teach in the synagogues (Matt. 13:54). 2. the assembly of Jews that met and worshiped in a synagogue: Mark 1:23.Luke 4:20.
