quered great part of the countries belonging to the Ammonites and Moabites, Moses retook this from the Amorites, and divided it between the tribes of Gad and Reuben. Long after this, in the time of Jephthah (Judg. xi. 13.), the Ammonites declared war against Israel, pretending that Israel detained the country which had been theirs before the Amorites possessed it. Jephthah replied, that this territory being acquired by Israel in a just war, from the Amorites, who had long enjoyed it by right of conquest, he was under no obligation to restore it. The Ammonites being dissatisfied with this reply, Jephthah gave them battle, and defeated them. AMALEKITES.--The Amalekites were the descendants of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau, by his concubine Timna; whereas the Idumæans were the offspring of a legitimate wife. On this diversity of origin was founded the rivalry which constantly existed between these two nations. In other respects they appear to have resembled each other, in their religion, their taste for the arts, and their commerce, which their situation between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean encouraged them to cultivate and extend. It is even conjectured that they were warriors and conquerors, and made a part of the shepherds who subdued Egypt, and reigned there during two hundred years. It was probably this brilliant success which caused them to be styled, by the Jewish historian, the first of nations. Annexed to this illustrious title is found, however, the fatal prediction: their name shall be put out from under heaven. In fact, perpetual wars against their neighbours, and especially the Jews, insensibly ruined them. Saul made a terrible slaughter of them, and was not permitted to save Agag their king, who was hewn in pieces by the prophet Samuel: David exterminated those who had escaped the former massacre. After this terrible execution, we meet no more with the name of Amalek but in the history of Esther; in whose time Haman, an Amalekite, to revenge an affront he imagined himself to have received from the Jew Mordecai, conceived the design of causing to be cut off, in a single night, not only all the Jews dispersed in the states of Ahasueras king of Babylon, but even those who had been left in Judæa to mourn over the ruins of their country. This dreadful design recoiled on Haman, who was exterminated with all his family; and the Jews received permission to pursue and put to death their ene-nued under the government of David mies wherever they could find them. They made a great slaughter of them, and since this event, nothing more has been heard of the Amalekites. The Ammonites and Moabites generally united in attacking Israel. After the death of Othniel, the Ammonites and Amalekites joined with Eglon, king of Moab, to oppress them. Some years after, about A. M. 2799, the Ammonites greatly oppressed the Israelites beyond Jordan; but, in 2817, God raised up Jephthah to deliver them. In the beginning of Saul's reign, A. m. 2909, B. c. 1195, Nahash, king of the Ammonites, having attacked Jabesh-Gilead,reduced it to a capitulation. (1 Sam. xi. 1.) Nahash offered no other conditions, than their submitting to have every man his right eye plucked out, as a reproach upon Israel; but Saul coming seasonably to the succour of Jabesh, delivered the city and people from the intended barbarity of Nahash. David, having been a friend of the king of Ammon, after his death sent compliments of condolence to Hanun his son and successor; who, regarding these ambassadors as spies,treated them in a very affronting manner. David avenged the affront, subdued the Ammonites, the Moabites, and the Syrians, their allies, Ammon and Moab conti and Solomon, and after the separation of the ten tribes, were subject to the kings of Israel till the death of Ahab. (2 Kings i. 1. a. m. 3107; e. c. 897.) AMMONITES, a people descended from Jehoram, son of Ahab, and successor Ammon, son of Lot; called sometimes of Ahaziah, defeated the Moabites, A. M. Ammanites. They destroyed the giants 3109. (2 Kings iii. 4, 5, 6. &c.) But it Zamzummin, and seized their country. does not appear, that this victory re(Deut. ii. 19, 20, 21.) God forbad Moses duced them to his obedience. At the and Israel from attacking the Ammo- same time the Ammonites, Moabites, nites, because he did not intend to give and other people, made an irruption their land to the Hebrews. Neverthe- into Judah, but were repulsed and less, as, previously to the Israelites en-routed by Jehoshaphat. (2 Chron. xx. tering Canaan, the Amorites had con- 1,2. ct seq.) The Prophet Isaiah (xv. xvi.) threatens the Moabites with a misfortune which was to happen three years after his prediction; this probably had reference to the war of Shalmaneser against them, about A. M. 3277; B. c. 727.-After the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh were carried captive by Tiglath-Pileser, A. M. 3264, B. c. 740, the Ammonites and Moabites took possession of the cities belonging to these tribes, for which Jeremiah reproaches them. (Jer. xlix. 1.) The ambassadors of the Ammonites were some of those to whom that prophet presented the cup of the Lord's fury, and whom he directed to make bonds and yokes for themselves, exhorting them to submit to Nebuchadnezzar; and threatening them, if they did not, with captivity and slavery. (Jer. xxvii. 2, 3, 4.) The prophet Ezekiel (xxv. 4. 10.) denounces their entire destruction, and tells them, that God would give them up to the people of the East, who should set their palaces in their country, so that the Ammonites should be no more mentioned among nations; and this as a punishment for insulting the Israelites on their calamities, and the destruction of their temple by the Chaldæans. These calamities happened to them in the fifth year after the taking of Jerusalem, when Nebuchadnezzar made war against all the people around Judæa, A. M. 3420 or 3421; B. c. 583. It is probable that Cyrus gave to the Ammonites and Moabites, the liberty of returning into their own country, whence they had been removed by Nebuchadnezzar; for we see them, in the lands of their former settlement, exposed to those revolutions which included the people of Syria and Palestine; and subject, sometimes to the kings of Egypt, and sometimes to the kings of Syria. Antiochus the Great took Rabboth or Philadelphia, their capital, demolished the walls, and put a garrison into it, A. M. 3806. During the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, the Ammonites manifested their hatred to the Jews, and exercised great cruelties against such of them as lived in their parts. (1 Macc. v. 6-45.) Justin Martyr says (Dialog. cum Tryphone, p. 272.) that in his time-the second century, there were still many Ammonites remaining; but Origen, in Job, assures us, that in his days, they were only known under the general name of Arabians. Thus was the prediction of Ezekiel accomplished. AMORITES, a people descended from Amori or Amorrhæus, the fourth son of Canaan. They first peopled the mountains west of the Dead Sea. They likewise had establishments east of that sea, between the brooks Jabbok and Arnon, whence they forced the Ammonites and Moabites. (Josh. v. 1. Numb. xiii. 29. xxi. 29.) Moses wrested this country from their kings, Sihon and Og, a. m. 2553, B. c. 1451. The prophet Amos (ii. 9.) speaks of their gigantic stature and valour. He compares their height to the cedar; their strength to the oak. The name Amorite, is often taken in Scripture for Canaanites in general. The lands which the Amorites possessed on this side Jordan, were given to the tribe of Judah; and those which they had possessed beyond the Jordan, to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. AMPHIPOLIS, a city between Macedon and Thrace, but dependant on Macedon, mentioned in Acts xvii. 1. Paul and Silas being delivered out of prison, left Philippi, went to Thessalonica, and passed through Amphipolis. This city had the name likewise of Chrysopolis. ANATHOTH, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, memorable as being the birth-place of the prophet Jeremiah. (Josh. xxi. 18. Jer. i. 1.) According to Eusebius and Jerome, it was situated about three miles to the north of Jerusalem, though Josephus states it to be twenty furlongs. This city, which was assigned as a residence to the Levites of the family of Kohath, and also as one of the cities of refuge, has long since been destroyed. ANTI-LIBANUS (Mount.) See pp. 44, 45. supra. ANTIOCH, the metropolis of Syria, was erected, according to some writers, by Antiochus Epiphanes, according to others, by Seleucus Nicanor, the first king of Syria after Alexander the Great, in memory of his father Antiochus, and was the royal seat of the kings of Syria, or the place where their palace was. For power and dignity it was little inferior to Seleucia, or Alexandria. Josephus says, that it was the third great city of all that belonged to the Roman provinces; it was called Antiochia apud Daphnem, or Antioch near Daphne,i. e. the village where her temple was, to distinguish it from fourteen other cities of the same name. It was ANTIOCH, of Pisidia, a city mentioned in Acts xiii. 14. Here Paul and Barnabas preached; but the Jews, who were angry at seeing that some of the Gentiles received the Gospel, raised a sedition against Paul and Barnabas, and obliged them to leave the city. ANTIPATRIS, a small town which was situated in the road from Jerusalem to Cæsarea. It was formerly called Capharsalma; but, being rebuilt and beautified by Herod the Great, it was by him named Antipatris in honour of his father Antipater. Hither Saint Paul was brought after his apprehension at Jerusalem. (Acts xxiii. 31.) | APHEK. There are several cities of this name mentioned in Scripture; as, 1. APHEK, in the tribe of Judah. Here the Philistines encamped, when the ark was brought from Shiloh, which was taken in battle by the Philistines. (1 Sam. iv.) Probably this is the Aphekah, mentioned in Josh. xv. 53. 2. APHEK, in the valley of Jezreel. Here the Philistines encamped, while Saul and his army lay near Jezreel, on the mountains of Gilboa. (1 Sam. xxix. 1., &c.) 3. APHEK, a city belonging to the tribe of Asher, near the country of the Sidonians. (Josh. xix. 30. xiii. 4.) Perhaps this was the ARABIA is a large country in westeru Asia, lying south-east of Judæa. It is distinguished into three parts, Arabia Deserta, Petræa, and Felix; but these divisions were not antiently known to the inhabitants of the East, nor are they observed in the Bible. (1.) ARABIA DESERTA has the mountains of Gilead west, and the river Euphrates east: it comprehends the Ituraans, the Edomites, the Nabathaaus, the people of Kedar, and others, who lead a wandering life, having no cities, houses, or fixed habitations; but wholly dwelling in tents; in_modern Arabic such are called Bedoweens. This country seems commonly to be described in Scripture by the word Arab, which signifies, properly, in Hebrew, the west, or people gathered together. They may have taken the name of Arabim, or western, from their situation, being west of the river Euphrates; and if so, their name Arab is prior to the settlement of Israel in Canaan. In Eusebius, and authors of that and the following ages, the country and greater part of the cities beyond Jordan, and of what they call the Third Palestine, are considered as parts of Arabia. (See a description of the horrors of traversing the great Arabian Desert, in pp. 53-56. supra.) (2.) ARABIA PETREA lies to the south of the Holy Land. Petra was its capital. This country contained the southern Edomites, the Amalekites, the Cushites (who are very improperly called Ethiopians by most translators and interpreters of Scripture,) the Hivites, the Meonians, or Maonim, &c. These people are at present known under the general name of Arabians: but it is of consequence to notice the antient inhabitants of these districts, as they are mentioned in the text of Scripture. In this country were Kadesh-Barnea, Gerar, Beer-sheba, Lachish, Libnah, Paran, Arad, Hasmona, Oboth, Phunon, Dedan, Segor, &c., also Mount Sinai, where the law was given to Moses. 4. APHEK, a city of Syria, one of the principal in Ben-Hadad's kingdom, in the vicinity of which the battle was fought between Ahab and Ben-hadad, when the Syrians were beaten (1 Kings xx. 26., &c.,) and as they retreated (3.) ARABIA FELIX lay still farther with precipitation into the city, the city south: being bounded on the east by wall fell upon them, and crushed 27,000. the Persian Gulf; on the south by the Probably, in this city Aphek, or Apha-ocean between Africa and India; and situated in Libanus, on the river Adonis, stood the famous temple of Venus, the Aphacite. This city lay between Heliopolis and Biblos. ca, APOLLONIA, a city of Macedonia Prima, through which Paul passed, in his way to Thessalonica. (Acts xvii. 1.) on the west by the Red Sea. As this Arabia did not immediately adjoin the Holy Land, it is not so frequently mentioned as the former Arabias. It is thought that the queen of Sheba, who visited Solomon (1 Kings x. 1.) was queen of part of Arabia Felix. This country abounded with riches, and particularly with spices. or Joktan, son of Eber, and brother of Pele; who, after the division of languages, peopled this peninsula of Asia. The second Arabians who succeeded these are the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, who came and settled among the antient Arabians, and was father of the mixed Arabians, or Mota-Arabes, or MostaArabes, or Ishmaelites. The pure and antient Arabians were divided into tribes, as well as the sons of Ishmael. Some of these tribes still exist in Arabia, others are lost and extinct. The Ishmaelites formed twelve tribes, according to the number of the sons of Ishmael (Gen. xxv. 13, 14.), viz. Nebajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Nephish, and Kedemah; but although these people very carefully preserve their genealogy, yet they cannot trace it up to Ishmael; they are obliged to stop at Adnah, one of his descendants; the genealogy, even of Mohammed, rises no higher. The Scriptures frequently mention the Arabians (meaning those adjoining Judæa) as a powerful people, who valued themselves on their wisdom. Their riches consisted principally in flocks and cattle; they paid king Jehoshaphat an annual tribute of 7700 sheep, and as many goats. (2 Chron. xvii. 11.) The kings of Arabia furnished Solomon with a great quantity of gold and silver. (2 Chron. ix. 14.) They loved war, but made it rather like thieves and plunderers, than like soldiers. They lived at liberty in the field, or the desert, concerned themselves little about cultivating the earth, and were not very obedient to established governments. This is the idea which the Scripture gives of them (Isa. xiii. 20.), and the same is their character at this day. The inhabitants of Arabia, who dwelt there before Abraham came into Canaan, were descended from Ham. We find there Midianites, of the race of Cush, among whom Moses retired. Abimelech, king of Gerar, is known in the time of Abraham, and the Amalekites in the time of Moses. The Hivites, the Amorites, Kenites, Meonians, or Mahonians, extended a good way into Arabia Petræa; the Horim occupied The inhabitants of Arabia are divided the mountains which lie to the south into (1) those who dwell in cities, and (2) of the land of Canaan, and east of the those who live in the fields and deDead Sea. The Rephaim, Emim, serts: the latter abide continually in Zuzim, and Zamzummim (Gen. xiv. 5. tents, and are much more honest than Deut. ii. 8, 9., &c.), inhabited the coun- the Arabians who live in towns. try called afterwards Arabia Deserta, these, some are Gentiles, others Musand peopled by the Ammonites, Moa-sulmans; the former preceded Mobites, and Edomites. Arabia is generally stony, rocky, and mountainous; principally in parts now remote from the sea, though formerly adjacent to it. In the course of ages, a vast plain has been interposed between the mountains, now in the midst of the country, and the sea, which has gradually retired from them. This is now the most fruitful and best cultivated part; but it is also the hottest: for in the mountains, the air is much cooler than below in the plains: they also contain plants and animals of different kinds. Besides the descendants of Ishmael, who peopled the greater part of Arabia, the sons of Abraham and Keturah, of Lot, of Esau, of Nahor, and others, dwelt in the same country, and mixed with, or drove out the old inhabitants. Of hammed, and are now called among them Arabians of the days of Ignorance; the others, who have received the doctrines preached by Mohammed, are called Moslemoun, or Musulmans, that is, believers. These are the people who conquered, and who still possess, great part of Asia and Africa; and who founded the four great monarchies of the Turks, the Persians, Morocco, and Mogul; not to mention lesser kingdoms. Arabia Deserta is called Hegiaz, and is become the most celebrated on account of the cities of Mecca and MeArabia Petræa, and Arabia Felix, dina being situated in it. Arabia Pewere possessed by the descendants of træa is now known by the name of HaIshmael, who were more particularly gar, or Hagiar; which significs stone or known by the name of Arabians. Ac-rock: but Arabia Deserta, as undercording to the accounts of the Arabians stood by the antients, extended much themselves, the first inhabitants of their farther towards Syria and the Euphracountry were descended from Cahtan tes. Joktan, the son of Eber, having settled in Yemen, erected a kingdom there, and was himself the first monarch. His son, Jarab, succeeded him: he introduced the Arabian language, which took its name from him, as did the whole country. The third king was Jaschab; the fourth was Abdalsschams, surnamed Sobas: from him the old Sabæans derived their name. His descendants reigned in Yemen above 2000 years before the rise of Mohammedism. The Arabians in general are cunning, witty, generous, and ingenious; lovers of eloquence and poetry; but superstitious, vindictive, sanguinary, and given to robbery (that is, of those not under the protection of some of their own people) which they think allowable, because Abraham, the father of Ishmael, say they, gave his son nothing. (Gen. xxv. 5, 6.) The antient Arabians were idolaters: they worshipped a stone. The black stone, which has the repute of having been, from time immemorial, the object of their worship, is still to be seen in the Caaba of Mecca. They say, this stone was originally white, but has wept itself black on account of the sins of mankind. Herodotus says, that they had only two deities-Bacchus, and Venus, Ålilat, or Alila ta. Strabo tells us, that they adored only Jupiter and Bacchus; which Alexander the Great being informed of resolved to subdue them, that he might oblige them to worship him as their third deity. The modern Arabians, descended from Ishmael, mention other names of antient deities adored in Arabia; as Lakiah, whom they invoked for rain; Hafedah, for preservation from bad accidents in journeys; Razora, for the necessaries of life; Lath, or Ablat, which is a diminutive of Abla, the true name of God; Aza, or Uza, from Aziz, which signifies the mighty God; Menat, from Menan, distributor of favours. It is very probable that they adored likewise the two golden antelopes, which are frequently mentioned in their histories, and which were consecrated at the temple of Mecca. The antient Midianites, among whom Moses retired, when he was received by Jethro, worshipped Abda and Hinda. Urotalt, mentioned by Herodotus, denotes, probably, the sun; and Alilat, the moon. The first of these words may siguify the god of light; the second, the god or goddess, eminently. Since the promulgation of the Gospel, many Arabians have embraced Christianity though by far the greater part continue, to this day, to profess the faith of Mohammed. ARAM, fifth son of Shem, was father of the people of Syria, who, from him, are called Aramæans. The region, which in the Old Testament is denominated ARAM, is a vast tract extending from Mount Taurus south as far as Damascus, and from the Mediterranean Sea in an eastern direction beyond the Tigris into Assyria. Different parts of this region are called by different names; as-Aram Naharaim, or Syria of the Two Rivers, that is, Mesopotamia; Aram of Damascus; Aram of Soba; Aram Bethrehob; and Aram of Maacha; because the cities of Damascus, Soba, Bethrehob, and Maachab, were in Syria; or at least, because Syria contained the provinces of Soba, Maachah, Rehob, &c. Homer and Hesiod call Aramæans, those whom the more modern Greeks call Syrians. The prophet Amos (ix. 7.) seems to say, that the first Aramæans dwelt in the country of Kir, in Iberia, where the river Cyrus runs; and that God brought them from thence, as he did the Hebrews out of Egypt; but at what time this happened is not known. Moses always calls the Syrians and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Aramites. The Aramæans often warred against the Hebrews; David subdued them, and obliged them to pay him tribute. Solomon preserved the same authority; but, after the separation of the ten tribes, it does not appear that the Syrians were generally subject to the kings of Israel; unless, perhaps, under Jeroboam II. who restored the kingdom of Israel to its antient boundaries. (2 Kings xiv. 25.) ARARAT, a celebrated mountain in the Greater Armenia; on which Noah's ark rested after the deluge. (Gen. vii. 4.) It is of stupendous height, and inaccessible to the summit, which is covered with perpetual snow. "Agridagh is the name given to this sublime mountain by the Turks; the Armenians call it Macis ; but all unite in reverencing it as the haven of the great slip, which preserved the father of mankind from the waters of the deluge. The height of Ararat has never yet been measured with any satisfactory degree of accuracy, though captain Monteith of the |