C

From: Bible Dictionary

Cabin cell, vault. Jer. 37:16¹⁶When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days; (Jeremiah 37:16) .

Caesar Not a name in the N.T. but a title given to any of the Roman emperors. There were during the N.T. history the emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. The question, “Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?” meant exactly the same as “Is it lawful to give tribute to the emperor,” or “to Rome?”

Caesarea Philippi In the north of Israel, on the east of the Jordan, a little south of mount Hermon, perhaps as far north on the east of Jordan as the Lord visited. It was thus named by Philip the Tetrarch, but was originally called Paneas. Matt. 16:13¹³When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (Matthew 16:13); Mark 8:27²⁷And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? (Mark 8:27). Its modern name is Banias.

Caesarea The celebrated seaport of Israel, about 70 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Paul repeatedly visited the port in his travels. Herod built the harbor and city. It was the seat of the Roman governors, and where Paul spent two years as a prisoner. Acts 8:40; 9:30,⁴⁰But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40)
³⁰Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. (Acts 9:30) etc. It is now called Kaisarieh, and is described as a mass of prostrate columns and ruined masonry, without an inhabitant.

Caiaphas He was high priest under Tiberias, during the Lord’s ministry; but was deposed by Vitellius, A.D. 37. He was son-in-law of Annas. Matt. 26:3,57³Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, (Matthew 26:3)
⁵⁷And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. (Matthew 26:57); Luke 3:2²Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Luke 3:2); Acts 4:6⁶And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. (Acts 4:6).

Cain acquired. The firstborn of Eve. Held up as an example of wickedness. 1 John 3:12¹²Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. (1 John 3:12); Jude 11¹¹Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Jude 11). Typically, the Jews who slew Christ (as Cain did Abel) and then sent to wander on the earth as fugitives, but marked off and preserved by God. Name occurs about 18 times in the Scriptures. Gen. 4.

Calamus An aromatic plant. An Eastern perfume, and formed one of the ingredients composing the holy anointing oil. Ex. 30:23²³Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, (Exodus 30:23).

Caleb barker, hence a dog. Faithfulness to God commanded and rewarded. Name occurs about 30 times, and only in the Old Testament. Num. 13.

Calf The bull calf was the favourite animal for food, and many were stalled and carefully looked after for this purpose, while others were kept ready for agricultural purposes only. Gen. 18:7⁷And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. (Genesis 18:7); Amos 6:4⁴That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; (Amos 6:4). The bull calf was a national form of worship in Egypt, and we may add of Israel too (Ex. 32).

Calkers ship carpenters. Ezek. 27:9,27⁹The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise. (Ezekiel 27:9)
²⁷Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin. (Ezekiel 27:27).

Calling καλέω, κλῆσις. “Calling” is used in various connections. It is our social position in 1 Cor. 7:20²⁰Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. (1 Corinthians 7:20). In a Christian connection, “many are called,” as in invitations, but few chosen (Matt. 22:14¹⁴For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)). In an absolute sense, the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Rom. 11:29²⁹For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)). “Whom He called, them He also justified” (Rom. 8:30³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)). The saints are saints by calling; the apostles were apostles by calling (Rom. 1:1,7¹Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1)
⁷To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)). We read of the “high calling,” (Phil. 3:14¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)); the “holy calling,” (2 Tim. 1:9⁹Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9)); and the “heavenly calling,” (Heb. 3:1¹Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)). We are to give diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10¹⁰Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10)).

Calvary Luke 23:33³³And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. (Luke 23:33). {See Jerusalem in Bible Subjects}

Calves of the lips Should be praises of the lips. Hos. 14:2²Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. (Hosea 14:2).

Camel κύμηλος. This valuable animal and beast of burden — “the ship of the desert” — is probably the most useful animal in the East. It is indispensable in treading the Arabian Desert, and constituted an important part of wealth in Bible lands, as the numerous Scripture references show. Judg. 7:12¹²And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. (Judges 7:12); 2 Kings 8:9⁹So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? (2 Kings 8:9). The stronger ones are used for carrying burdens, and can carry 560 to 784 lbs. The smaller ones are for riding, and can on a necessity travel 100 miles in 24 hours. They can live upon very little, the hump gradually decreasing in size when they have but little food. The hair is used for clothing. Matt. 3:4⁴And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4); Mark 1:6⁶And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; (Mark 1:6).

Camp A symbol of a religion which would attach man to earth; or, the union of human and Divine principles. Ex. 33:7⁷And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. (Exodus 33:7). Rev. 20:9⁹And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:9) is an allusion to the gathering together of the saints, when Satan stirs up the final attack upon them. In Hebrews 13:11,13¹¹For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. (Hebrews 13:11)
¹³Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13) refers to Judaism and its religious system, extending however to any religious system connected with the world in distinction from the heavenly character of the church of God. The bodies of the sin-offering were burned without the camp of Israel (Lev. 4:12,21¹²Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt. (Leviticus 4:12)
²¹And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation. (Leviticus 4:21)). Jesus also suffered “without the gate” of Jerusalem and its then earthly system. “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”

Camphire An aromatic plant that yields a delightful fragrance, and from its leaves a dye is produced, which is held in great favour amongst Eastern females in staining their hands and feet. Song of Sol. 1:14¹⁴My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi. (Song of Solomon 1:14).

Cana of Galilee The place of the Lord’s first miracle, turning the water into wine, and the city to which Nathanael belonged. It was in the neighborhood of Capernaum, and on higher ground. The Lord went down to Capernaum. John 2:1,11; 4:46; 21:2¹And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (John 2:1)
¹¹This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:11)
⁴⁶So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. (John 4:46)
²There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. (John 21:2). It has been identified by some with Kefr-Kenna, about four and a half miles north-east of Nazareth, but others prefer Kana-el-Jelil (or Khurbet Kana), about eight miles north-east of Nazareth.

Canaan, Chanaan A name corresponding to Israel. Matt. 15:22²²And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. (Matthew 15:22).

Canaanite Matt. 10:4⁴Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. (Matthew 10:4); Mark 3:18¹⁸And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite, (Mark 3:18). {See Simon}

Candle, Candlestick λύχνος, λυχνία. Matt. 5:15¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (Matthew 5:15); Rev. 1:12-13,20,¹²And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; ¹³And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Revelation 1:12‑13)
²⁰The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:20) etc. The word λύχνος is translated “light” in Matthew 6:22²²The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (Matthew 6:22); Luke 12:35³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; (Luke 12:35); John 5:35³⁵He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (John 5:35); 2 Peter 1:19¹⁹We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19); Rev. 21:23²³And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:23). The words are better translated “lamp” and “lampstand,” though there is another Greek word for “lamp,” which see. The modern candles were not known in N. T. times. A symbol of artificial light. A symbol of Divine light and favour. Rev. 22:5⁵And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5); Job 29:3³When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; (Job 29:3).

Candlestick of Pure Gold 1. A symbol of the fullness of the Spirit’s light resting upon believers. Ex. 26:35³⁵And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side. (Exodus 26:35). 2. A symbol of the perfect display of the moral glories of Christ as seen in His adorable person. Num. 8:2-4²Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick. ³And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the Lord commanded Moses. ⁴And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the Lord had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick. (Numbers 8:2‑4).

Canker gangrene. 2 Tim. 2:17¹⁷And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; (2 Timothy 2:17).

Cankered corroded. James 5:3³Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. (James 5:3).

Canker-worm In the few passages where this insect is named its destructive power is referred to. It is an apt and striking illustration of the utter desolation and wasting caused by countless and irresistible enemies; and its ravages in the East are dreaded as the plague. Joel 1:4; 2:25⁴That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. (Joel 1:4)
²⁵And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25). The “canker-worm” is the Eastern “locust” in its larva state.

Capernaum Remarkable as being designated the Lord’s “own city.” Matt. 9:1¹And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. (Matthew 9:1); Mark 2:1¹And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. (Mark 2:1). It was perhaps the place where He dwelt more than any other. There He did many miracles, and spoke many “gracious words,” but He was rejected there, and this called forth this solemn “woe” against it: it should be brought down to hades (Matt. 11:23²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11:23)). It was on the west side of the lake, “upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim.” Matt. 4:13; 8:5; 11:23,¹³And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: (Matthew 4:13)
⁵And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, (Matthew 8:5)
²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11:23) etc. Many identify it with Tell Hum; others prefer Khan Minyeh.

Caphtor The original location of the Philistines, who were descended from Mizraim (Egypt). Gen. 10:14¹⁴And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim. (Genesis 10:14); Jer. 47:4⁴Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor. (Jeremiah 47:4).

Cappadocia A Roman province in the most eastern part of Asia Minor, but extending eastward to the Euphrates. Jews from thence were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost; and Peter includes them in his first epistle. Acts 2:9⁹Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (Acts 2:9); 1 Peter 1:1¹Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1).

Captain of the Guard στρατοπεδάοχης. The Roman commander of a camp, but applied to the commander of the emperor’s guards, to whom Paul was delivered as a prisoner at Rome. Acts 28:16¹⁶And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. (Acts 28:16).

Captain, Chief Captain, High Captain χιλίαρχος. “The Roman commander of a thousand men,” a Chiliarch. Mark 6:21²¹And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; (Mark 6:21); John 18:12¹²Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, (John 18:12); Acts 21:31-37; 22:24-29; 23:10-22; 24:7,22; 25:23³¹And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. ³²Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. ³³Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. ³⁴And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. ³⁵And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. ³⁶For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. ³⁷And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? (Acts 21:31‑37)
²⁴The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. ²⁵And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? ²⁶When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. ²⁷Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. ²⁸And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. ²⁹Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. (Acts 22:24‑29)
¹⁰And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. ¹¹And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. ¹²And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. ¹³And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. ¹⁴And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. ¹⁵Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. ¹⁶And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. ¹⁷Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. ¹⁸So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. ¹⁹Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? ²⁰And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. ²¹But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. ²²So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast showed these things to me. (Acts 23:10‑22)
⁷But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, (Acts 24:7)
²²And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. (Acts 24:22)
²³And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. (Acts 25:23); Rev. 6:15; 19:18¹⁵And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; (Revelation 6:15)
¹⁸That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (Revelation 19:18).

Carnal To be “carnal” or fleshly, denotes an unhealthy Christian condition, as “spiritual” signifies a healthy Christian state. To be “carnal” is equivalent to a condition marked in Scripture as babyhood, requiring “milk,” and not “solid food.” Both the Corinthians (1 Cor. 3) and the Hebrews (Heb. 5) were in that state. Where nature in its workings are not held in due subjection, its philosophical tendencies, as with the Corinthians, and its religious ways, as with the Hebrews, not thoroughly judged, a “carnal” or fleshly state is the sure result. Our safety is in walking in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13-14¹³For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ¹⁴For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:13‑14)).

Carpenters A symbol of God’s instruments of judgment upon the Gentile oppressors of His people, Israel. Zech. 1:20-21²⁰And the Lord showed me four carpenters. ²¹Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it. (Zechariah 1:20‑21).

Carriage The goods or baggage, i.e. not what carried, but what was carried. 1 Sam. 17:22²²And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. (1 Samuel 17:22); Judg. 18:21²¹So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them. (Judges 18:21). See also Acts 21:15¹⁵And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:15).

Cassia An aromatic plant, an Indian perfume, and which formed one of the ingredients of the holy ointment. Ex. 30:24²⁴And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: (Exodus 30:24).

Cast 1. turned. Jer. 41:14¹⁴So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah. (Jeremiah 41:14). 2. considered. Luke 1:29²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. (Luke 1:29).

Castaway {See Reprobate}

Castor and Pollux The Greek word is simply Dioscuri, “sons of Jupiter,” supposed to refer to Castor and Pollux of Mythology, who were said to preserve from shipwreck. Acts 28:11¹¹And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. (Acts 28:11).

Caterpillar(s) The Hebrew word for “canker-worm” signifies licker up, and for “caterpillar,” consumer. No doubt the locust is meant, but in the state before it assumes its wings. It is an emblem of utter wasting and destruction. Isa. 33:4⁴And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them. (Isaiah 33:4); Psa. 78:46⁴⁶He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labor unto the locust. (Psalm 78:46). A symbol of devouring enemies. Jer. 51:14¹⁴The Lord of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee. (Jeremiah 51:14);

Caul(s) net for the hair. Isa. 3:18¹⁸In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, (Isaiah 3:18). Female head covering of net work, and of an ornamental character.

Cedar

1. This grand old tree once covered the sides of Mount Lebanon, and was largely used by David, Solomon, and Nebuchadnezzar in the erection of their palaces, also in the construction of the Temple.

2. A symbol of earthly greatness. Ezek. 17:1¹And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, (Ezekiel 17:1); Amos 2:9⁹Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. (Amos 2:9).

3. A symbol of man displayed in his best and fairest forms. Lev. 14:4-6⁴Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: ⁵And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: ⁶As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: (Leviticus 14:4‑6); Num. 19:6⁶And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. (Numbers 19:6).

Cedron Another form of Kidron or Kedron. A ravine in which flowed the brook, at the east of Jerusalem, separating it from the mount of Olives, but which is now nearly always dry. John 18:1¹When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. (John 18:1).

Cenchrea The eastern port of Corinth, from which it was distant about nine miles. There was an assembly there. Acts 18:18¹⁸And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. (Acts 18:18); Rom. 16:1¹I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: (Romans 16:1).

Censer The vessel in which coals from the altar were carried, on which incense was sprinkled. Heb. 9:4⁴Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; (Hebrews 9:4). Used metaphorically for the vessel in which the prayers of the saints are offered on the altar with much incense, followed by judgments on the earth. Rev. 8:3,5³And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (Revelation 8:3)
⁵And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:5).

Centurion ἑκατουτάοχης,—χος, κεντυοίων. The Roman commander of a hundred men. Matt. 8:5,8,13⁵And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, (Matthew 8:5)
⁸The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (Matthew 8:8)
¹³And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:13); Mark 15:39-45³⁹And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. ⁴⁰There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; ⁴¹(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. ⁴²And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, ⁴³Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. ⁴⁵And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. (Mark 15:39‑45); Acts 10:1¹There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, (Acts 10:1).

Cephas {See Peter}

Chaff Symbol of worthless persons. Matt. 3:12¹²Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12); Luke 3:17¹⁷Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. (Luke 3:17); Psa. 1:4⁴The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (Psalm 1:4).

Chains This word signifies ear-drops. Isa. 3:19¹⁹The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, (Isaiah 3:19).

Chalcedony χαλκηδών. There are several varieties of chalcedony, differing in colour and bearing different names; the general shade is a pale, yellowish grey. Rev. 21:19¹⁹And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; (Revelation 21:19). The word does not occur in the LXX. Because of the uncertainty of identifying the precious stones in the N.T., references are given to the Septuagint if the same Greek word is used therein.

Chaldaeans, Land of the The district between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. Acts 7:4⁴Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. (Acts 7:4).

Challenge to claim. Ex. 22:9⁹For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbor. (Exodus 22:9).

Chambers of imagery Egyptian idolatry occupying the rooms, and generally the interior of the temple. Ezek. 8:12¹²Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth. (Ezekiel 8:12).

Chameleon As the original word denotes strength, it is believed that the reference is to one of the large and powerful lizard species abounding in Israel. It was an unclean animal under the Law. Lev. 11:30³⁰And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. (Leviticus 11:30).

Chamois As the animal known to us as the “chamois” never inhabited Israel or adjacent countries, it is generally regarded, in this the only passage where the name occurs, as the wild sheep now almost extinct in Bible lands. It was a clean animal under the Law. Deut. 14:5⁵The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. (Deuteronomy 14:5).

Champaign open field or plain. That part of a country not intersected by hills, but open and easily traversed. Deut. 11:30³⁰Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh? (Deuteronomy 11:30).

Chanaan Same as Canaan.

Chancellor A Persian officer of high rank, and connected with the granting of the decrees of the realm. Ezra 4:8-9,17⁸Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: ⁹Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, (Ezra 4:8‑9)
¹⁷Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time. (Ezra 4:17).

Chapiter(s) The upper and ornamental parts of the columns or pillars of public buildings. Ex. 36:38,³⁸And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass. (Exodus 36:38) etc.

Chapman dealer. In England we would say a “hawker”; only in the East the employment was a respectable one. 2 Chron. 9:14¹⁴Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon. (2 Chronicles 9:14).

Charger A salver, or large dish. Num 7:13¹³And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: (Numbers 7:13); Matt. 14:8⁸And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. (Matthew 14:8).

Chariot of Israel The Divine defence and safeguard of Israel. 2 Kings 2:12¹²And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. (2 Kings 2:12).

Chariots

1. A symbol of imperial powers. Zech. 6:1¹And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. (Zechariah 6:1).

2. A symbol of the governmental power and authority of Jehovah. Psa. 68:17¹⁷The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. (Psalm 68:17); Isa. 66:15¹⁵For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. (Isaiah 66:15).

Charity love. 1 Cor. 13.

Charran The same as Haran, (Gen. 11:31,³¹And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. (Genesis 11:31) etc.) where the LXX has Χαρράν: the plain of Mesopotamia, between the rivers Khabour and the Euphrates. Acts 7:2,4²And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, (Acts 7:2)
⁴Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. (Acts 7:4). There is an Arab village in the district called Harran.

Check reproof. Job 20:3³I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. (Job 20:3).

Chemarim The priests of Baal and of other idols. Zeph. 1:4⁴I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; (Zephaniah 1:4). Translated idolatrous priests in 2 Kings 23:5⁵And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. (2 Kings 23:5); Hosea 10:5⁵The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it. (Hosea 10:5); in these Scriptures the margin reads chemarim.

Cherubim χερουβίμ (plural). Symbolical executors of God’s judicial and governmental power and authority, either in blessing or in punishing. Heb. 9:5⁵And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. (Hebrews 9:5); Ezek. 10:15-20¹⁵And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. ¹⁶And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them. ¹⁷When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. ¹⁸Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. ¹⁹And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. ²⁰This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims. (Ezekiel 10:15‑20). They are named as in guarding the tree of life. Gen. 3:24²⁴So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24). In the tabernacle and temple, they formed the moral supports of Jehovah’s throne, as “justice and judgment.” Psa. 89:14¹⁴Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. (Psalm 89:14). In Ezekiel 1; 10:15-20,¹⁵And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. ¹⁶And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them. ¹⁷When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. ¹⁸Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. ¹⁹And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord's house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. ²⁰This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims. (Ezekiel 10:15‑20) they clearly set forth God acting judicially towards His people, in bringing against them that “bitter nation,” the Chaldeans. Ex. 37:7⁷And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; (Exodus 37:7); 1 Kings 6:28,²⁸And he overlaid the cherubims with gold. (1 Kings 6:28) Psa. 99:1¹The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. (Psalm 99:1).

Chestnut or, according to the Septuagint, the Plane Tree. Its ample foliage secures a delightful shade and retreat from the burning rays of an Eastern sky, while its enormous trunk supplies timber for a variety of purposes.

Chief of Asia Ασιάοχης. Asiarch, honorary Roman magistrates in Asia. Ten of the principal persons of the province were elected annually of which one was chief. They were specially charged with the public festivals. Acts 19:31³¹And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. (Acts 19:31).

Chief prince The Septuagint or Greek version of the Old Testament, reads correctly “Prince of Rosh,” i.e. of Russia. Ezek. 38:2-3; 39:1²Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, ³And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: (Ezekiel 38:2‑3)
¹Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: (Ezekiel 39:1). It was only toward the close of the ninth century that Russia, as such, became known, or rather, that her history as a kingdom commenced, hence our translators took the word “rosh” as signifying the “chief,” or great prince.

Child an hundred years old Refers to the great prolongation of life in the millennium. Isa. 65:20²⁰There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. (Isaiah 65:20).

Children of the East Dwellers in the desert lying between Canaan and the river Euphrates. Judg. 6:3,33³And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; (Judges 6:3)
³³Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel. (Judges 6:33).

Chilion pining away. Israel out of her land and wasting away because of her iniquities Isa. 38:12¹²Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. (Isaiah 38:12); Ruth 1.

Chimney Denotes any aperture covered over with interlaced lattice-work for the escape of smoke Hos. 13:3³Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney. (Hosea 13:3). It is the same word translated windows. Gen. 7:11; 8:2¹¹In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (Genesis 7:11)
²The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; (Genesis 8:2).

Chios An island in the Aegean Sea, near the west coast of Asia Minor. Acts 20:15¹⁵And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. (Acts 20:15). Now called Scios.

Chittim The historical fulfilment of the first part of this chapter (Dan. 11:1-35¹Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. ²And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. ³And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. ⁴And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. ⁵And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion. ⁶And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times. ⁷But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: ⁸And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north. ⁹So the king of the south shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. ¹⁰But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through: then shall he return, and be stirred up, even to his fortress. ¹¹And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. ¹²And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it. ¹³For the king of the north shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come after certain years with a great army and with much riches. ¹⁴And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall. ¹⁵So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. ¹⁶But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. ¹⁷He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. ¹⁸After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. ¹⁹Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found. ²⁰Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. ²¹And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. ²²And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. ²³And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. ²⁴He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. ²⁵And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. ²⁶Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. ²⁷And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. ²⁸Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. ²⁹At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. ³⁰For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. ³¹And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. ³²And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. ³³And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. ³⁴Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. ³⁵And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. (Daniel 11:1‑35)) proves that Rome is the power here meant.

Choler great rage and anger Dan. 8:7; 11:11⁷And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. (Daniel 8:7)
¹¹And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand. (Daniel 11:11).

Chorazin One of the cities on which a “woe” was pronounced by the Lord because of rejecting Him, His words, and His works. Matt. 11:21²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (Matthew 11:21); Luke 10:13¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. (Luke 10:13). It was doubtless near the lake of Gennesaret on the west side, and its site is supposed by some to be identified with Kerazeh, where are extensive ruins; but others identify it with Tell Hum.

Christ, The χριστός. The Anointed. It is the same as Messiah, which is a Hebrew word, and also signifies “the Anointed.” Messias occurs in John 1:41; 4:25,⁴¹He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John 1:41)
²⁵The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. (John 4:25) and is interpreted “the Christ.” He was foretold in Psalm 2:2²The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, (Psalm 2:2) as “his anointed,” which is “his Messiah.” In Daniel 9:25-26,²⁵Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. ²⁶And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:25‑26) the Messiah the Prince shall be cut off and have nothing (margin). This was the one looked for by the Jews and the Samaritans, but who came as the humble Jesus of Nazareth. In many places in the A.V. where it is simply “Christ,” as if that were His name, it should be “the Christ,” the anointed one. In 1 Cor. 12:1¹Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (1 Corinthians 12:1)2 The Head and the body form one whole, “the Christ.”

Christian Antioch prided itself upon “giving names,” and was the first to call the disciples “Christians,” as those who followed Christ. King Agrippa used the same term. The giving of the name may have been overruled by God: it is certainly very appropriate, and is adopted by Peter, as led by the Holy Spirit. Acts 11:26; 26:28²⁶And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)
²⁸Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28); 1 Peter 4:16¹⁶Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:16).

Chrysolite χρυσόλιθος. Probably the ancient topaz of a golden or yellow colour. Rev. 21:20²⁰The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. (Revelation 21:20). The word occurs in the LXX in Exodus 28:20; 36:20²⁰And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. (Exodus 28:20)
²⁰And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up. (Exodus 36:20) (39:13); Ezekiel 28:13¹³Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (Ezekiel 28:13). {See Chalcedony}

Chrysoprasus χρυσόπρασος. Supposed to be a variety of chalcedony of a green shade. Rev. 21:20²⁰The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. (Revelation 21:20). The word does not occur in the LXX.

Church In Acts 19:37³⁷For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. (Acts 19:37) occurs “robbers of churches,” but it should be “robbers of temples”: no building was called a church. The word for church is έκκλησία, and simply means “assembly.” This is evident from Acts 19:32,39,41,³²Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. (Acts 19:32)
³⁹But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. (Acts 19:39)
⁴¹And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:41) where the same word is applied to those gathered in the theatre. It is also used of the assembly or congregation of Israel in the wilderness in Acts 7:38³⁸This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (Acts 7:38). Everywhere else it refers to God’s assembly. The church is said to be “the body” of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23); Col. 1:18,24¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
²⁴Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: (Colossians 1:24)). It is also the “house of God” (1 Tim. 3:15¹⁵But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)), in which there may be those who are professors only. It is compared to a great house in which are vessels both to honour and to dishonour (2 Tim. 2:20²⁰But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)), so that judgment will have to begin at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17¹⁷For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)). Collectively there is but one church — one body, embracing every Christian on earth indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and containing none but Christians; but distributively we read of “churches.” In any one city we read of only “a” church, as at Jerusalem, (Acts 8:1¹And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)); but there were churches in districts, as in Judaea, in Galatia (Gal. 1:2,22²And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: (Galatians 1:2)
²²And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ: (Galatians 1:22)), and in Asia (Rev. 1:4⁴John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)). Each local assembly was called “a church,” though it really formed a part of the one church, and was in no sense a separate church. The church was formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:5; 2:4⁵For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)
⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4); 1 Cor. 12:13¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13); Eph. 2:22²²In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)), so that the church did not commence until then, which agrees with our Lord speaking of it as a future thing in Matthew 16:18¹⁸And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18); and its doctrine was still a hidden mystery, until Paul afterward declared it (Eph. 3:3-7³How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) ⁵Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ⁷Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (Ephesians 3:3‑7)). This shows the heavenly character of the church as the body of Christ, of which He is the Head in heaven, and that it is distinct from the Old Testament saints, and also from the saints who will be called after the church has left the earth.

Churl A niggardly person (Isa. 32:5,7⁵The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. (Isaiah 32:5)
⁷The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. (Isaiah 32:7)); also, surly and ill-tempered, as Nabal (1 Sam. 25).

Ciel to wainscot. 2 Chron. 3:5⁵And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains. (2 Chronicles 3:5).

Cilicia A district in Asia Minor at the extreme N.E. corner of the Mediterranean. Tarsus was its capital, to which Paul belonged. Acts 6:9; 15:41; 21:39⁹Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. (Acts 6:9)
⁴¹And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:41)
³⁹But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. (Acts 21:39); Gal. 1:21²¹Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (Galatians 1:21).

Cinnamon an aromatic plant is a favourite spice, and formed another of the ingredients of the holy ointment. Ex. 30:23²³Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, (Exodus 30:23).

Circumcision This was a rite peculiarly Jewish, so that the terms circumcised and uncircumcised are constantly used to denote Jews and Gentiles. It was concluded in the council at Jerusalem that circumcision was not binding on Gentile believers, and the Galatians are severely blamed for putting themselves under the law; if they trusted in circumcision Christ would profit them nothing. What it typified is explained in Colossians 2:11: “Ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” In Philippians 3:2,²Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (Philippians 3:2) it stands in contrast to “concision,” which is a “cutting,” an improving of the flesh: circumcision teaches cutting off: “Ye are dead. ... Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth” Col. 3:3,5³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
⁵Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Colossians 3:5).

Cisterns A symbol of resources. Jer. 2:12¹²Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 2:12); Isa. 36:16¹⁶Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern; (Isaiah 36:16).

Citizen, In Luke 15:15; 19:14¹⁵And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (Luke 15:15)
¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (Luke 19:14); Acts 21:39³⁹But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. (Acts 21:39) the term applies to those simply dwelling in the same city, and having civil rights. The chief captain did not suppose Paul was a Roman citizen, or he would not have ordered him to be scourged. Acts 22:29²⁹Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. (Acts 22:29). The saints’ “citizenship” is in heaven, as Phil. 3:20²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20) may well be translated. The word is πολίτευμα.

City

1. Symbol of center of administration. Heb. 11:10,16¹⁰For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)
¹⁶But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16); Rev. 21:10¹⁰And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Revelation 21:10).

2. A symbol of protection. Prov. 18:11¹¹The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. (Proverbs 18:11).

3. A symbol of seat of the Roman Empire. Rev. 16:19¹⁹And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:19).

4. A symbol of the Church, both in its glorified and apostate states. Rev. 18; 21.

Claudia A Christian woman named by Paul in his salutations from Rome, together with Pudens and Linus. 2 Tim. 4:21²¹Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. (2 Timothy 4:21). All of these are supposed to have been British subjects at Rome. About the same time that Paul wrote the second Epistle to Timothy, the Latin poet Martial wrote some epigrams, in which he mentions three friends: Pudens, his wife Claudia, and Linus. It is remarkable that the three names agree, and it may be as supposed.

Claudius Lysias The Commandant of Jerusalem, who, when Paul was dragged out of the temple and attacked, protected him, and sent him to Caesarea for safety. Acts 23:26²⁶Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. (Acts 23:26).

Claudius Fourth Roman emperor, who attained to the empire partially through the influence of Herod Agrippa I, A.D. 41. In return for this he added Judaea, Samaria, and some districts of Lebanon to Agrippa’s jurisdiction, and appointed Agrippa’s brother, Herod, to Chalcis. Acts 11:28; 18:2²⁸And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 11:28)
²And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (Acts 18:2).

Clay

1. A symbol of man as dead material the subject of the sovereign power of God. Rom. 9:21²¹Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (Romans 9:21).

2. A symbol of no foot-hold in suffering. Psa. 40:2²He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalm 40:2).

Cleave Used in exactly opposite meanings, as to cut or divide in Psalm 141:7,⁷Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. (Psalm 141:7) and to a close and inseparable union, as in Genesis 2:24²⁴Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24).

Clement Paul’s fellow-labourer at Philippi. He is accounted one of the Apostolic Fathers. Phil. 4:3³And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaborers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3).

Cleopas or Clopas One of the two disciples who travelled to Emmaus, with whom the Lord conversed and to whom He made himself known in the breaking of bread. Luke 24:18¹⁸And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? (Luke 24:18). Supposed by some to be the same person as the Cleophas, or Clopas, named in John 19:25²⁵Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25).

Cloak {See Garments}

Clouds 1. A symbol of Divine majesty. Dan. 7:13¹³I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (Daniel 7:13); Psa. 104:3³Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: (Psalm 104:3); Rev. 1:7⁷Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7). 2. A symbol of the presence of Jehovah, but His glory veiled. Ex. 33:9-10; 34:15-18⁹And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. ¹⁰And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. (Exodus 33:9‑10)
¹⁵Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; ¹⁶And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. ¹⁷Thou shalt make thee no molten gods. ¹⁸The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt. (Exodus 34:15‑18); Luke 9:35³⁵And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Luke 9:35); Lev. 16:2²And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:2).

Clouted patched. Josh. 9:5⁵And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. (Joshua 9:5).

Cnidus A city and sea-port passed by Paul on his way to Rome. Acts 27:7⁷And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; (Acts 27:7). It is in the extreme S.W. of Asia Minor.

Coal quench my Ruin me in my circumstances and prosperity. 2 Sam. 14:7⁷And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. (2 Samuel 14:7).

Coals of Fire The allusion seems to be melting and conquering an enemy by returning good for evil. Proverbs 25:21-22²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²²For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25:21‑22); Rom. 12:20²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (Romans 12:20). A “fire of coals,” John 18:18; 21:9¹⁸And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. (John 18:18)
⁹As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. (John 21:9). Mineral coals are not known in Israel; charcoal is still commonly used.

Coast(s) border, region of territory, whether of sea or land. Judg. 18:2²And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valor, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there. (Judges 18:2); Matt. 2:16¹⁶Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. (Matthew 2:16).

Coat {See Garments}

Cock This domestic fowl is only mentioned in the Gospels, and was certainly unknown to the Jews previous to the captivity, being imported from India. The certainty and regularity of its midnight crowing is connected with some solemn warnings and teachings in the Gospels. Matt. 26:34³⁴Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Matthew 26:34); Mark 14:30³⁰And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. (Mark 14:30).

Cockatrice The particular reptile referred to cannot with certainty be determined, but the various Scripture passages in which the name occurs show that a deadly, poisonous snake is meant. Isa. 11:8⁸And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. (Isaiah 11:8); Jer. 8:17¹⁷For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:17).

Cockle A destructive weed and exceedingly offensive to the smell. It must have been a well-known exceedingly poisonous Arabian plant (Job 31:40⁴⁰Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. (Job 31:40)); it is translated “wild grapes” in Isaiah 5:2,4²And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. (Isaiah 5:2)
⁴What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? (Isaiah 5:4).

Collops lumps. Job 15:27²⁷Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks. (Job 15:27).

Colony A Roman colony was a place inhabited by persons transplanted from Rome, and governed by Roman laws. Acts 16:12¹²And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. (Acts 16:12).

Colosse A city in Phrygia in Asia Minor, twelve miles nearly east of Laodicea. Col. 1:2²To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2). It does not appear that Paul had visited the place before he wrote the epistle to the church there (see Col. 2:1¹For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Colossians 2:1)). Its ruins are supposed to be 3 miles north of the town of Khonas.

Colour pretext. Acts 27:30³⁰And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, (Acts 27:30).

Colours A symbol of varied glories. Gen. 37:3³Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. (Genesis 37:3); 1 Chron. 29:2²Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. (1 Chronicles 29:2); Isa. 54:11¹¹O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. (Isaiah 54:11).

Colt Young camel or ass. The colts were frequently used for riding by persons of distinction, and represent an ungovernable will, as in the book of Job and elsewhere. Gen. 49:11; 32:15¹¹Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: (Genesis 49:11)
¹⁵Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals. (Genesis 32:15).

Comforter {See Advocate}

Coming of the Lord {See Appearing}

Commendation, Letters of, An evident intimation that such letters are needful when a Christian goes to a place where he is unknown. 2 Cor. 3:1¹Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? (2 Corinthians 3:1).

Communion {See Fellowship}

Compass, fetch a make a circuit. 2 Sam. 5:23²³And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. (2 Samuel 5:23); Acts 28:13¹³And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: (Acts 28:13).

Concision A symbol of those who would saddle the law upon Christians. Phil. 3:2²Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (Philippians 3:2). {See Circumcision.}

Conclude to include. Rom. 11:32³²For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (Romans 11:32).

Concupiscence lust. Rom. 7:8⁸But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. (Romans 7:8).

Coney An unclean animal. This small animal inhabits the rocks, and is exceedingly watchful and wary on the approach of danger. The wisdom of this diminutive little creature — about the size of the rabbit — in selecting high rocks for its dwelling is a lesson to us worth pondering. Psa. 104:18¹⁸The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. (Psalm 104:18); Pro. 30:26²⁶The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; (Proverbs 30:26).

Confession {See Profession}

Confirming 1. ἐπιστηρίξω. “to fix firmly, establish.” A mission fulfilled by Paul and others, among the converts, by bringing the word home to their souls, by which they were established in the faith. Acts 14:22; 15:32,41²²Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)
³²And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. (Acts 15:32)
⁴¹And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:41). 2. βεβαιόω “to confirm, establish, verify.” Mark 16:20²⁰And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20); Rom. 15:8⁸Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (Romans 15:8); 1 Cor. 1:6,8⁶Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (1 Corinthians 1:6)
⁸Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8); Heb. 2:3³How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3).

Conscience συνείδησις. Literally, “joint knowledge.” It is the faculty God has given to every man since the fall by which he knows good and evil (see Gen. 3:22²²And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: (Genesis 3:22)): and for the disobeying of which, if he has no other light, he will be judged. Rom. 2:15¹⁵Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (Romans 2:15). The Christian has a “purged” conscience, the effect once for all of the work of Christ in respect of his sins; so that he has no more conscience of sins. Heb. 9:14; 10:2¹⁴How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)
²For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (Hebrews 10:2). God will never impute sins to him. As a practical thing, Paul said, “I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16¹⁶And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (Acts 24:16). A “good” conscience and a “pure” conscience are named as what should characterize a Christian; whereas those who depart from the faith have a “seared” conscience, and lose the fine sensibilities which the faith imparts. Others may have a “weak” conscience through not apprehending Christian liberty. Conscience takes knowledge of acts, not of nature. When the sin in us is allowed to produce sins, then only is the conscience defiled.

Consist subsist. Col. 1:17¹⁷And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:17).

Constantly strongly Titus 3:8⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8).

Convenient becoming. Eph. 5:4⁴Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4).

Conversation manner of life. Gal. 1:13¹³For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: (Galatians 1:13). citizenship. Phil. 3:20²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20).

Converts The remnants of Israel and Judah returned to their city and God. The root idea in this word and in that of “conversion” is “turned,” or a radical change in life and character. Isa. 1:27²⁷Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. (Isaiah 1:27).

Convocation This Latin word signifies a religious gathering duly called and constituted. Ex. 12:16¹⁶And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. (Exodus 12:16).

Coos An island on the south-west of Asia Minor; same as Cos. Acts 21:1¹And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: (Acts 21:1).

Coral The finest coral was procured from the Red Sea or Persian Gulf, and was greatly prized for its beauty and value. Coral is the interesting workmanship of millions of sea creatures who lived and died at the bottom of the waters. Ezek. 27:16¹⁶Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate. (Ezekiel 27:16); Job 28:18¹⁸No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. (Job 28:18).

Corban A Hebrew word, and here (Mark 7:11¹¹But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. (Mark 7:11)) is translated “a gift,” a consecrated gift. The Jews had allowed a son to say to his parent, “It is a consecrated gift, I cannot give it to you,” thus setting aside, by their traditions, his duty to his parents.

Cords A symbol of Divine restraint. A symbol of the compellings of love. Psa. 2:3³Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (Psalm 2:3); Hos. 11:4⁴I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. (Hosea 11:4).

Coriander is plentiful in the East, and is used in seasoning fruit and confectionery. Ex. 16:31³¹And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. (Exodus 16:31).

Corinth The learned and wealthy but dissolute capital of Achaia. There had been an earlier city, but the one referred to in the Acts was founded by Julius Caesar. Paul continued there eighteen months, and thence he wrote the first and second Epistles to the Thessalonians, and afterward the Epistle to the Romans. He had been the means of the conversion of the Corinthians, to whom he wrote the two Epistles bearing their name. Acts 18:1; 19:1¹After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; (Acts 18:1)
¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (Acts 19:1); 1 Cor. 1:2²Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2); 2 Cor. 1:1,23¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: (2 Corinthians 1:1)
²³Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. (2 Corinthians 1:23); 2 Tim. 4:20²⁰Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (2 Timothy 4:20). Corinth is now only a mean village, with a few fragments of its former greatness.

Cormorant Another of the unclean birds abounding about the rivers and sea coasts of Israel. The word literally means plunger; it is one of those birds who plunge into the water in pursuit of its prey. Lev. 11:17¹⁷And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, (Leviticus 11:17); Deut. 14:17¹⁷And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant, (Deuteronomy 14:17).

Corn, Corn of Wheat A cereal as familiar to the inhabitants of the Eastern world as elsewhere. Various words are used, signifying the breadstuffs of Israel. Mark 4:28²⁸For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. (Mark 4:28); John 12:24,²⁴Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24) etc. The reference to the Lord is rather “grain of wheat,” “the grain of wheat” must die or He could not produce the fruit He wished. There could be no living association of man with Him except on the resurrection side of the cross. The grain dies and brings forth “much fruit.”

Corn, Old A symbol of Christ in glory as the food of a heavenly people. Josh. 5:11¹¹And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. (Joshua 5:11).

Cornelius A devout Roman centurion, who saw in a vision an angel of God telling him to send for Peter. Acts 10. While Peter preached to the gathered company the Holy Spirit fell on them, and they were baptized. These were the first Gentile converts.

Corner-stone, head of the corner, chief corner-stone Matt. 21:42⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42); Mark 12:10¹⁰And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: (Mark 12:10); Luke 20:17¹⁷And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? (Luke 20:17); Acts 4:11¹¹This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (Acts 4:11); 1 Peter 2:7⁷Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (1 Peter 2:7). Christ, though He had been rejected by the Jewish builders, is proclaimed as “head of the corner,” being a quotation from Psalm 118:22²²The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. (Psalm 118:22). Ephesians 2:20²⁰And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20) and 1 Peter 2:6⁶Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:6) speak of Him as the “chief corner stone.” In Ephesians this is in connection with the foundation, and in Peter it is said to be “laid,” so that the “chief corner stone” may refer to a part of the foundation, and the “head of the corner” to a top stone; agreeing with Christ being the “first and the last,” the “beginning and the ending” of God’s plan of building up an edifice to His glory in the salvation of poor sinners.

Cote stall, shed. 2 Chron. 32:28²⁸Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. (2 Chronicles 32:28).

Cotes chambers or other enclosures for the protection of sheep. 2 Chron. 32:28²⁸Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. (2 Chronicles 32:28). See also 1 Samuel 24:3³And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. (1 Samuel 24:3).

Coulter An implement of husbandry, generally regarded as a ploughshare. 1 Sam. 13:20-21²⁰But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. ²¹Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. (1 Samuel 13:20‑21).

Council, Counsellor {See Sanhedrim in “The Synagogue and the Sanhedrim” in Bible Subjects}

Countervail compensate. Could not avail against the king, or damage him in any way. Esther 7:4⁴For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. (Esther 7:4).

Covenant of Salt An agreement or league of a perpetual and enduring character; yet practiced to a large extent in eastern countries, where, if a visitor eats salt in your house, he has thereby secured your help and protection, and for the time under your special safeguard. Num. 18:19,¹⁹All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee. (Numbers 18:19) etc.

Covenant, New Covenant Except in Romans 1:31,³¹Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (Romans 1:31) “covenant breakers,” the word is διαθήκη. In the A.V. it is nearly as often translated “testament” as “covenant,” with the same meaning. It is better always translated “covenant,” except in Hebrews 9:16-17¹⁶For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:16‑17). As an English word, “covenant” implies an agreement between two or more; but in Scripture it is the will and purpose of one — God. It was so with Israel: God stated His covenant, as His will concerning them, the blessing was conditional on their keeping it. The new covenant is future, when God will take up Israel again for blessing. Heb. 8:8⁸For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (Hebrews 8:8). God is not said to make a covenant with the church. Christ is the mediator of the new covenant. Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24⁶But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)
¹⁵And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15)
²⁴And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24). Paul speaks of himself and others as being “able ministers of the new covenant.” 2 Cor. 3:6⁶Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6). In Galatians 4 two covenants are spoken of; one made at mount Sinai, the other the “Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother.” Gal. 4:26²⁶But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26) JND. From the above it will be seen that the “new covenant” is yet to be made with Israel, though some of its blessings are anticipated in the new order of things brought in by Christ, in contrast to the old order under the law: it brings blessings to us who are in the church, and will bring many and varied blessings to Israel by-and-by. Two things will characterize it: a knowledge of God as Jehovah, and the forgiveness of sins.

Covereth his Feet Judg. 3:24²⁴When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlor were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber. (Judges 3:24) or “doeth his easement.” Also 1 Samuel 24:3³And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. (1 Samuel 24:3).

Cow The cow formed an integral part of wealth in such an agricultural country as Israel, and generally denotes abundance. Lev. 22:28²⁸And whether it be cow or ewe, ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day. (Leviticus 22:28); Isa. 7:21²¹And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep; (Isaiah 7:21). The “bullock” on the other hand is the chosen symbol of service and patient labour, and was the most valuable animal offered in sacrifice on Jewish altars.

Crane This gregarious bird is of large size and is remarkable for two characteristics, both noted in the references — first, its peculiar trumpet-like cry, and second, its regular migratory habits. Jer. 8:7⁷Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:7); Isa. 38:14¹⁴Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. (Isaiah 38:14).

Creation, New Creature κτίσις. In Mark 10:6; 13:19⁶But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. (Mark 10:6)
¹⁹For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. (Mark 13:19); Romans 1:20²⁰For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20); 2 Peter 3:4⁴And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:4) reference is made to the creation of Genesis 1. In Colossians 1:15¹⁵Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15) our Lord is spoken of as “the firstborn of every creature,” and in Revelation 3:14¹⁴And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14) as the “beginning of the creation of God.” In Romans 8:19-21,39¹⁹For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:19‑21)
³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39) every created thing is referred to as suffering from the effects of the sin of man, and as groaning for relief. In 2 Corinthians 5:17¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) and Galatians 6:15¹⁵For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Galatians 6:15) the Christian is said to be a “new creation”; he is a new creation in Christ in contrast to the first creation in Adam, although until his body is redeemed he has not quite done with the first creation in its life, duties, and relationships. In all the above passages, “creation” is the better word. In 1 Timothy 4:4⁴For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (1 Timothy 4:4); James 1:18¹⁸Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18); Rev. 5:13; 8:9¹³And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)
⁹And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8:9) it is κτίσμα, “creature.”

Creator One of the titles of God, but which also belongs to Christ, for all things were created by Him and for Him. Rom. 1:25²⁵Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:25); 1 Peter 4:19¹⁹Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:19); Col. 1:16¹⁶For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16).

Crete A large island in the Mediterranean, not far from Greece, also called Candia. Some Jews from Crete were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost. These may have received and carried to Crete the gospel. Paul at a late date, apparently visited Crete, and left Titus there to set things in order and to ordain elders in every city. The Cretans had gained an unenviable notoriety for untruthfulness. Acts 27:7,12-13,21⁷And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; (Acts 27:7)
¹²And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. ¹³And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. (Acts 27:12‑13)
²¹But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. (Acts 27:21); Titus 1:5,12⁵For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)
¹²One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (Titus 1:12).

Crisping pin(s) small bags or purses. Isa. 3:22²²The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, (Isaiah 3:22). Translated bags in 2 Kings 5:23²³And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. (2 Kings 5:23).

Crispus The chief ruler of the synagogue at Corinth; he believed at the preaching of Paul, who baptized him and his household. Acts 18:8⁸And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8); 1 Cor. 1:14¹⁴I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (1 Corinthians 1:14).

Cross, The, The well-known instrument used in crucifixion. It is used as a symbol of the sacrifice of the Lord: “the death of the cross,” (Phil. 2:8⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)); “the blood of his cross,” (Col. 1:20²⁰And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)); “preaching of the cross,” (1 Cor. 1:17-18¹⁷For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. ¹⁸For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17‑18)). It was that on which atonement for sins was made. Jews and Gentiles were united into one body by the cross. Eph. 2:16¹⁶And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:16). The cross makes nothing of man, and was the symbol of shame to the Lord (Heb. 12:2²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)); and of the shame and self-denial that lie in the Christian’s path. Matt. 10:38; 16:24³⁸And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38)
²⁴Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24); Mark 8:34³⁴And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34); Luke 9:23²³And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23); 1 Cor. 1:17¹⁷For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Corinthians 1:17);Gal. 5:11; 6:12¹¹And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. (Galatians 5:11)
¹²As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (Galatians 6:12).

Crown A symbol of victory or royalty or kingly dignity. Ezek. 16:12¹²And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. (Ezekiel 16:12); Rev. 9:7⁷And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. (Revelation 9:7). Yet, in derision they put a crown of thorns upon the Lord. Matt. 27:29²⁹And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (Matthew 27:29). The twenty-four elders, typical of the redeemed, have on their heads “crowns of gold” (Rev. 4:4,10⁴And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4)
¹⁰The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (Revelation 4:10)). The woman in Revelation 12:1¹And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (Revelation 12:1) had on her head a crown of twelve stars, pointing to Israel and the twelve tribes. The Christian is said to receive “a crown of righteousness,” (2 Tim. 4:8⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)); “the crown of life,” (James 1:12¹²Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12); Rev. 2:10¹⁰Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)); and “a crown of glory,” (1 Peter 5:4⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4)). It may be but one crown, looked at from different aspects: the warning to the saint is, “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11¹¹Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)). The apostle Paul declared that the saints at Philippi and at Thessalonica were his “crown” (Phil. 4:1¹Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1); 1 Thess. 2:19¹⁹For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (1 Thessalonians 2:19)). The crown, better translated “Diadem,” is only worn by the Lord, (Rev. 19:12¹²His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (Revelation 19:12)); by Satan as the “great red dragon,” (Rev. 12:3³And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (Revelation 12:3)); and by the beast, the head of the future Roman power (Rev. 13:1¹And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1)). There are four crowns set before the saints — First, the crown of gold common to the redeemed. Rev. 4:10¹⁰The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (Revelation 4:10). Second, the crown of life for the martyr. Rev. 2:10¹⁰Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10). Third, the crown of righteousness for the servant and witness. 2 Tim. 4:8⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8). Fourth, the crown of glory for the shepherds of God’s flock. 1 Peter 5:4⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4).

Crucifixion The most painful and degrading death. Scripture says, “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13¹³Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)). The Romans nailed the hands to the cross piece of wood, and the feet to the upright beam. The crucified sometimes lived for two days. Breaking the legs was requested by the Jews that the bodies might be the sooner buried.

Crystal Glass “like unto crystal,” and “clear as crystal.” The word is κρύσταλλος, and means “ice,” and then “crystal” from its resemblance to ice. Rev. 4:6; 21:11; 22:1⁶And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (Revelation 4:6)
¹¹Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Revelation 21:11)
¹And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1). The same word is used in the LXX to mean both “ice” and “crystal,” Job 6:16¹⁶Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: (Job 6:16) and Ezekiel 1:22²²And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the color of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. (Ezekiel 1:22). {See Chalcedony}

Cubit {See Long Measure in “Measures of Capacity” in Bible Subjects}

Cuckow A species of sea-fowl, but the particular bird referred to is uncertain. It is ranked amongst the unclean birds under the Law. Deut. 14:15¹⁵And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, (Deuteronomy 14:15); Lev. 11:16¹⁶And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, (Leviticus 11:16).

Cucumber is a well-known Egyptian and Palestinian vegetable; a favourite dish amongst the labouring class.

Cumbered distracted. Luke 10:40⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (Luke 10:40).

Cummin An aromatic, medicinal plant, yielding seeds, which, when crushed, gives a pleasing aromatic flavour highly prized in the East. Most useful in stomach complaints. The Pharisees were careful to pay tithe of it. Matt. 23:23²³Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23).

Cunning clever or skilful; not to be understood in a bad sense, as with us. Ex 31:4; Ex. 36:8⁸And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them. (Exodus 36:8).

Cup

1. A symbol of the sinners’ portion, Divine wrath. Psa. 75:8⁸For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. (Psalm 75:8). It is used by the Lord in reference to what He had to endure in putting away sin. Matt. 20:22; 26:39²²But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. (Matthew 20:22)
³⁹And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39).

2. A symbol of the believers’ portion, Divine favour. Psa. 23:5⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5). 3. Often taken as a symbol of what was in the cup (see 1 Cor. 10:16¹⁶The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)).

Curious Arts {See Divination}

Curious skilfully wrought. Ex. 28:8⁸And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. (Exodus 28:8).

Curtains. 1. The curtains of the Tabernacle that were inside set forth Christ and His glories for us. Ex. 26:1,14¹Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. (Exodus 26:1)
¹⁴And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins. (Exodus 26:14). 2. The curtains of the court that were outside set forth Christ and His glories to be displayed by us. Ex. 27:9-16⁹And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side: ¹⁰And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. ¹¹And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. ¹²And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. ¹³And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. ¹⁴The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. ¹⁵And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. ¹⁶And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four. (Exodus 27:9‑16).

Cush That part of Africa known as Ethiopia. Isa. 11:11¹¹And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. (Isaiah 11:11).

Custom, receipt of custom Kings of the earth took “custom” of tributary people, strangers (Matt. 17:25²⁵He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? (Matthew 17:25)), and which Christians are exhorted to pay (Rom. 13:7⁷Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:7)). A tribute was paid by the Jews to the Romans, and the “receipt of custom” was the office where such payments were received. {See Tribute}

Cymbal A piece of metal formed somewhat like a plate, two of which were struck together. The sounds are disagreeable and inharmonious when heard without other instruments. The word for “tinkling” is translated “wailed” in Mark 5:38³⁸And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. (Mark 5:38). The allusion is to the words a professed Christian may utter without the love of God in his heart. 1 Cor. 13:1¹Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Cypress has been used from time immemorial as a memento over the tombs of the rich. It is a tall and upright tree, and its dark mournful-looking waving plumes make it a fitting emblem for funeral purposes.

Cyprus An extensive island at the east end of the Mediterranean. The “Chittim” of the Old Testament. When the church was scattered abroad at the persecution respecting Stephen, some went to Cyprus. Paul himself laboured there. It is remarkable as having belonged to the nations of Greece, Persia, Rome, Egypt, and England. Acts 4:36; 11:19; 15:39; 21:3,16; 27:4³⁶And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, (Acts 4:36)
¹⁹Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. (Acts 11:19)
³⁹And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; (Acts 15:39)
³Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. (Acts 21:3)
¹⁶There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. (Acts 21:16)
⁴And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. (Acts 27:4).

Cyrene A Greek city on the north coast of Africa, nearly opposite to Crete. Many Jews resided there, and some from thence were in Jerusalem at Pentecost; and the Cyrenians had a synagogue also in the city. Matt. 27:32³²And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. (Matthew 27:32); Acts 2:10; 11:20; 13:1¹⁰Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 2:10)
²⁰And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. (Acts 11:20)
¹Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1).

Cyrenius Called in Roman history “Quirinus,” twice governor of Syria, once at the time of the birth of Christ, and again in A.D. 6. On both occasions a “census” was made. Luke 2:2²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (Luke 2:2).

Cyrus sun. Cyrus, the destroyer of Babylon and deliverer of the Jews, points to the future day when the Gentiles in the hands of Jehovah will be used for the blessing and help of His earthly people. Name occurs about 24 times, and only in the Old Testament. Isa. 44:28; 45:1²⁸That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah 44:28)
¹Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; (Isaiah 45:1).

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