Eagle This unclean bird of prey is frequently alluded to in Scripture.
1. An emblem of strength, safety, tenderness, and care. Ex. 19:4; Deut. 32:11.
2. άετύς. It is a symbol of judgment and swiftness in execution when God’s set time is come. Matt. 24:28; Rev. 4:7.
3. One of the living creatures in Revelation 4:7 was like a flying eagle, as one capable of soaring heavenward; and an eagle helps the woman (Israel) to escape from the dragon. Rev. 12:14; see Deut. 28:49. In Revelation 8:13 “eagle” should be read instead of “angel.”
4. A symbol of sure and thorough judgment. Luke 17:37; Job 39:27-30.
5. A symbol of the King of Babylon.
6. A symbol of the King of Egypt. Ezek. 17:3; Ezek. 17:7.
Ear, to to plough. Gen. 45:6.
Earing time seed-time. Ex. 34:21, etc.
Earnest The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a pledge or earnest of all the promises, and of the glorified body, according to the contexts. 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14.
Ears Tingle horror and astonishment. 1 Sam. 3:11.
Ears.
1. symbol of human spiritual attention. Matt. 13:15; Rev. 2:7; Psa. 40:6.
2. A symbol of Divine attention. Psa. 34:15.
3. A symbol of devoted obedience. Psa. 40:6.
Earth A symbol of prophetically of the Roman Empire. Rev. 10:2; 13:11.
Earthquake A symbol of prophetically, the convulsion of settled order of things. Isa. 29:6; Matt. 24:7; Rev. 6:12; 16:18.
East and West the whole earth. Isa. 45:6.
Easter The word is πάσχα, and clearly refers to the Passover. Acts 12:4. At the time the Authorized Version was made the words Passover and Easter were almost interchangeable.
Eating
1. A symbol of personal appropriation of Christ; entering by faith into the reality of His death. John 6:51-58;1 Cor. 10:3,7.
2. A symbol of communion and fellowship generally. 1 Cor. 10:16; 5:11; Acts 11:3-9; Song of Sol. 5:1; Matt. 26:26. The priests’ eating of the sin and other offerings expressed their thorough identification with what those sacrifices respectively set forth.
Ebony This tree grows in tropical countries. The ebony of Scripture, one of the most valuable of woods in the manufacture of fine articles, was imported probably from India.
Ed a witness. The name of the altar erected by the two and a-half tribes on the western side of Canaan. Josh. 22:34.
Edify build up. Rom. 14:19.
Egypt The well-known country on the north of Africa. It is principally referred to in the N.T. as the place where Israel was in bondage. When Herod was seeking the life of Jesus He was carried into Egypt, and thence He was called, as was Israel, as God’s Son. Matt. 2:13-19. In Revelation 11:8 Jerusalem is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt. Isa. 31:1.
Eighth Symbol of a new beginning. 2 Peter 2:5; Rev. 17:11; Lev. 25:22.
Elah to be strong. He reigned two years over Israel. A bad king and a drunkard. He was conspired against and slain by his captain, Zimri. 1 Kings 16.
Elamites Inhabitants of Elam, a country lying south of Assyria proper, and N. of Persia. Acts 2:9; Daniel 8:2.
Elder(s) πρεσβύτερος. “An elder,” one advanced in life. It will be seen above in Acts 20 that in Ephesus the same persons are called elders and bishops, or overseers; and in Titus 1 we remark the same. Paul left Titus in Crete that he should ordain or choose “elders in every city ... if any be blameless ... for a bishop must be blameless” (verses 5-7). We also learn in 1 Timothy 5:17 that some elders ruled, or took the lead, and some laboured in word and doctrine. In Paul’s first missionary journey he chose elders in every church (Acts 14:23). In Hebrews 13 the saints are exhorted to remember those who had had the rule over them (or were their leaders), who had spoken unto them the Word of God; they were to imitate their faith, and consider the end of their conversation. The saints were also to obey the leaders then among them, for they watched for their souls (verses 7,17).{See Offices and Gifts in the Church in Bible Subjects}
Election God’s elect were chosen in Christ before the world began. God’s purpose in eternity infallibly makes good in time and forever the salvation of the elect; while God’s eternal grace in Christ characterizes the blessed nature of that salvation. 2 Tim. 1:9. Saints know that they are God’s election (1 Thess. 1:4); but the truth itself, as also the knowledge of who are its subjects, should not be spoken of outside the household of faith. The gospel of free, full, unlimited grace to all should be presented to the sinner; while election and the sovereign favour of God are truths most comforting and consoling to the saint. Jesus, too, is Jehovah’s elect in the accomplishment of the Divine purposes on behalf of Israel and the earth (Isa. 42); elect also as a foundation-stone on which to rest, and corner-stone in which to glory. 1 Peter 2:4-7. Israel is spoken of as God’s elect (Isa. 45:4); so also angels (1 Tim. 5:21); but neither angels nor Israel are said to be chosen in Christ and before the world began. Eph. 1:4-5. Election is referred to individuals, not to the church collectively; hence in, 1 Peter 5:13, which would seem to contradict the statement, it should be “She that is elected together with you,” evidently an individual sister. {See Predestinate}
Elephant This huge animal, so well-known in India and Africa, was not introduced into Israel till the wars of Antiochus of Syria with Egypt, and is not even named in Scripture, save in the margin of the passages here given. 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chron. 9:21.
Elias, Elijah Another form of the name of Elijah. He is referred to in the N.T.
a. in reference to John the Baptist (Matt. 11:14, etc.);
b. he appeared as prophet with Moses on the mount of transfiguration (Matt. 17:3-4, etc.);
c. some judged the Lord to be Elias (Matt. 16:14, etc.);
d. Elijah, at the time of a famine was sent only to a Gentile widow (Luke 4:25-26);
e. James and John sought to follow Elijah in calling down fire from heaven, but were rebuked by their Master (Luke 9:54);
f. Elijah thought he alone remained faithful, but God had His unknown ones (Rom. 11:2);
g. he is held up as an example, though a man of like passions with ourselves, of offering effectual prayer (James 5:17).
Eliezer God the helper. Figures the Holy Spirit leading home the bride through the desert, to Christ risen and in heaven, as Eliezer conducted Rebekah to Isaac, received from the dead in a figure (Heb. 11:19) and dwelling in Canaan — type of heaven. Name occurs but once in Scripture (Gen. 15:2), but it is the same who is repeatedly referred to as the “Servant,” in Genesis 24.
Elihu my God is Jehovah. The Holy Spirit the alone interpreter of God’s moral ways and dealings with man. Name occurs about 7 times, and only in the book of Job. Job 32.
Elijah [whose] God [is] Jehovah. The man, Elijah is a figure of that portion of the Church changed and caught up to meet Christ without seeing death, as Moses figures the dead saints raised, hence Moses and Elias in the Mount of Glory (Luke 9:28-35); also speaks of ministry of power and judgment to apostate Israel in coming days. Name occurs about 100 times in the Scriptures. 2 Kings 2.
Elimelech God is King. The Elimelech is a figure of God, Israel’s husband and King, when in her land. Name occurs 6 times, and only in the book of Ruth. Ruth 1.
Elisabeth The wife of Zacharias the priest, and mother of John the Baptist. She being filled with the Holy Spirit hailed her cousin Mary as the mother of her Lord. Luke 1:5-57.
Elisha God’s Salvation. The man, Elisha, is a figure of the future ministry of grace to guilty Israel succeeding that of judgment. Name occurs about 60 times, and only in the Old Testament. 1 Kings 19.
Elm Tree is elsewhere translated “teil tree,” under the spreading branches of which idolatrous rites were performed. Hosea 4:13. Average lifespan of 335 years.
Elymas Said to be an Arabic word signifying sorcerer, by which he was perhaps better known than by his name Bar-Jesus, that is, son of Jesus or Joshua. He opposed Paul, and was struck with blindness. Acts 13:8.
Emerald σμάραγδος. A beautiful green gem in prismatic crystals. Rev. 4:3; 21:19. It occurs in the LXX in Exodus 28:9,17; 36:13,17; 39:6,10; Ezekiel 28:13. {See Chalcedony}
Emerods hemorrhoids or piles. Deut. 28:27.
Emmanuel The word is interpreted “God with us,” that is, in the Person of the Lord Jesus. Matt. 1:23. This passage alone suffices to declare His Godhead.
Emmaus A village about 7½ miles from Jerusalem, but in what direction is not known. It was the village to which the Lord walked in company with two of his disciples, from whose sight He vanished after breaking the bread. Luke 24:13.
Endamage damage. Ezra 4:13.
Endeavour be diligent. Eph. 4:3.
Ends of the Earth most distant parts of the globe. Psa. 72:8.
Enlightening the Eyes imparting Divine light. Intelligence, perception. Psa. 19:8; see also 1 Samuel 14:27.
Enoch dedicated. Referred to in the N.T. as one who was by faith translated without dying (type of the rapture of the church), and who before that event had the testimony that he pleased God. Heb. 11:5; Jude 14. There can be no doubt that Jude refers to an unrecorded prophecy by Enoch, and did not copy from the apocryphal book bearing Enoch’s name. A figure of the church taken to heaven after her walk and testimony for God on earth and before the world is judged, as typified in the flood. Name (not to be confounded with the son of Cain, Gen. 4) occurs about 9 times in the Scriptures. Gen. 5.
Ensample example. 1 Cor. 10:11.
Ensue to pursue. 1 Peter 3:11.
Entreat treat. Matt. 22:6.
Epaphras One of the saints at Colosse, where he was a faithful minister of Christ. At Rome Paul speaks of him in the Epistle to the Colossians as “our dear fellowservant,” but in Philemon he calls him my “fellowprisoner.” Col. 1:7; 4:12; Philem. 23.
Epaphroditus A “brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier” of Paul. He was sent by the saints at Philippi with subsidies to Paul, and probably remained with him some time, where he was sick nigh unto death. Phil. 2:25; 4:18.
Ephesus The capital of proconsular Asia, a large and luxurious city lying near the sea on the west of Asia Minor, renowned for its commerce, and its heathen temple which drew many pilgrims to the place. In the Revelation Ephesus is the first named of the seven churches in Asia. The seven cities, after which the churches are named, all lie toward the west of Asia Minor. They are named in the order in which they may be said to be situated: beginning at Ephesus, proceed northward to Smyrna and Pergamos; then south-east to Thyatira, and proceeding southward takes in the rest. They lie far from Israel, but near to Europe; and it is in the latter that God caused Christianity to take deeper root, whence it has spread throughout the world. As far as we know, Paul did not visit any of the seven churches except Ephesus. He remained there two years, and it is added, “so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Ephesus being the capital of the district, was naturally visited by many from the other towns. Demetrius declared that throughout almost all Asia Paul had turned away much people from the worship of the gods. Acts 18:19,21,24; 19:1,17,26; 20:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:32; 16:8; Eph. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:18; 4:12; Rev. 1:11; 2:1. There is now, besides extensive ruins and a railway station, only a Turkish village, called Ayasolook.
Ephraim
1. A city near to the wilderness, to which the Lord retired when they sought his life after the raising of Lazarus. It is probably Taiyibeh, about 17 miles N.N.E. of Jerusalem on the mountains. John 11:54.
2. double fruit. Fruitfulness of the Lord in His present rejection by the world and Israel; illustrated in Hebrews 2. Name personally and of the people occurs about 140 times, and only in the Old Testament. Gen. 41:52.
Epicureans Greek philosophers, who held that physical indulgence constituted true happiness. Acts 17:18. It is from them that the English word “epicure” is derived.
Erastus
1. Chamberlain or treasurer of the city of Corinth who sent his salutation to Rome. Rom. 16:23.
2. A fellow-worker with Paul. Acts 19:22; 2 Tim. 4:20,
Esau hairy. Name of the person and people occurs more than 100 times in the Scriptures; Edom, however, not here included, is the usual way in which the descendants and country of Esau are spoken of in the Bible. Gen. 25. A figure of apostate Gentile power in opposition to God and His earthly people. Referred to in the N.T –
a. as an instance of God’s sovereignty (Rom. 9:13);
b. as a profane person (βέβηλος), who not valuing God’s gift of birthright, sold it for one morsel of food (Heb. 12:16); nevertheless Isaac was by faith able to bless him concerning things to come Heb. 11:20; see Gen. 27: 39-40.
Eschew avoid. 1 Pet. 3:11.
Essenes These are not named in the New Testament, but it is generally believed that they are more than once alluded to. They were distinct from the Pharisees and Sadducees, and led more secluded lives and did not set themselves up to be teachers of the law. They denied the resurrection of the body, but held with the immortality of the soul, the existence of angels, and a state of future rewards and punishments. They were also fatalists.
As far as is known they lived moral lives, but were much given to asceticism. Some married and lived in the towns; but others refrained from marriage and lived in secluded places. They refused all pleasant food, and lived on the barest quantity of the simplest provisions. They had sets of rules, which all were sworn to observe. They professed to have a sort of knowledge of the angels and to approach to them by their holy lives.
The principal passage, believed by many to allude to the Essenes, is in Colossians 2, where “voluntary humility,” “neglecting the body,” “intruding into things not seen,” being “vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind,” are thought to refer to them: while the rules named, “touch not, taste not, handle not,” strictly applied to theirs.
The folly of expecting any such perfection in the flesh is exposed by the apostle.
Estate state. Col. 4:8.
Esther star. Esther in the book of Esther is a figure of the earthly and Jewish bride of the Lord in millennial glory and dignity. Psa. 45. Name occurs about 58 times, and only in the book of Esther. Esther 2.
Eternal Life ζωή αἰώνιος. This is the gift of God (1 John 5:11), and of Christ (John 10:28). It is by faith in the Son (John 6:47), and for which Christ had to become a man and die (John 3:14; 6:54); it is possessed in the Son (1 John 5:11). It is another life outside of life in Adam down here. God would have His saints know that they have eternal life now (1 John 5:13), and enjoy it in the power of the Holy Spirit, to be enjoyed in its fullest sense only when mortality is swallowed up of life.
Eternal
1. άἷδιος, “always,” eternal. Rom. 1:20; Jude 6.
2. αίών, “always being.” Eph. 3:11; 1 Tim. 1:17.
3. αἰώνιος, same as αἰών, without beginning or end. This word occurs very frequently and is often translated “everlasting.” It is applied to God (Rom. 16:26); and to the Holy Spirit (Heb. 9:14). Also to “life” many times (Matt. 25:46, etc.); “redemption” (Heb. 9:12); “salvation” (Heb. 5:9); “glory” (2 Tim. 2:10). Also to “judgment” (Heb. 6:2); “fire” (Jude 7); “punishment” (Matt. 25:46); “destruction” (2 Thess. 1:9). There are no stronger words in the Greek language than the above to imply “never ending, endless, eternal.”
Ethanim flowing or streaming rivers. The seventh Jewish ecclesiastical month and first of the civil year, corresponding to our September and October. 1 Kings 8:2.
Ethiopia, beyond the rivers of Rather, Cush, i.e. beyond the rivers Nile and Euphrates (Isa. 18:1), as the descendants of “Cush” (Gen. 10) settled on the borders of both rivers.
Eunuch
1. Persons who often held high offices in eastern countries, as the Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 8:27-39; see also Matt. 19:12.
2. Persons incapacitated for marrying, and forbidden to enter the congregation of the Lord. Isa. 56:4; Deut. 23:1. In the east generally employed as guardians of the bed-chamber.
Euodias A Christian woman of Philippi, whom Paul exhorted to be of “the same mind in the Lord” with Syntyche. They had laboured much with him in the gospel. Phil. 4:2.
Euphrates The well-known river on which the city of Babylon was built; it formed the boundary that separated the nations of the East from the promised land. It has two sources in the far north, which unite and form a broad and deep river; it runs nearly south, and is eventually joined by the river Tigris, and empties itself into the Persian Gulf. Rev. 9:14; 16:12.
Euroclydon Most Editors read Eurakulon, which implies a north easterly wind. Acts 27:14.
Eutychus The youth who when asleep fell from the third floor of a house at Troas, while Paul was preaching, and who was restored by the apostle Acts 20:9,
Evangelist εὐαγγελιστής. “A preacher of the gospel.” Eph. 4:11. Philip is the only one specially named as an evangelist. Acts 21:8. Timothy was told to do the work of an evangelist. 2 Tim. 4:5. Paul was an evangelist, and constantly refers to his preaching the gospel, and indeed said, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:16. There were doubtless many others. {See Preacher}
Eve life. The first women, husband of Adam. Introduced in the N.T. as an example of one being deceived by the subtlety of Satan. She was in the transgression, but in grace women shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with sobriety. Gen. 3:16; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:13-14. Figures the creation of the bride of the Second Man (Eph. 5:31-32) and of her association with Him in lordship and dominion over the earth. Name occurs 4 times in the Scriptures.
Exchanger banker. Matt. 25:27.
Express exact. Heb. 1:3.
Eyes
1. Symbol of spiritual perception. 2 Chron. 16:9; Eph. 1:18; Rev. 3:18; 4:6,8.
2. Symbol of direction and guidance. Num. 10:31; Psa. 123:2.
Eye-salve What Christ exhorted the Laodiceans to apply that they might see. They were like those described by the Lord, blind, but who said they saw. They needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit to enable them to see things as God sees them. Rev. 3:18.
Eye-service Service done to please men, as far as seen by the eye, in contrast to being “the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” Eph. 6:6; Col. 3:22.