(Encyclopedia) Renan, ErnestRenan, Ernestĕrnĕstˈ rənäNˈ [key], 1823–92, French historian and critic. He began training for the priesthood but renounced it in 1845. His first trip to Italy (1849)…
(Encyclopedia) Dead Sea, salt lake, c.390 sq mi (1,010 sq km), extending c.45 mi (70 km) in the Jordan trough of the Great Rift Valley between the Ghor on the north and Wadi Arabah on the south, on…
(Eugene Klein, born Chaim Witz)musicianBorn: 8/25/1949Birthplace: Haifa, Israel A founding member of the rock group Kiss (1973–present), a band noteworthy as much for its members' theatrical…
Biblical figure The Hebrew Bible Book of Ruth tells the story of Ruth, a young widow from Moab (east of the Dead Sea), and her devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi. When Naomi, also a widow,…
(Encyclopedia) GilboaGilboagĭlbōˈə [key], Arabic Jabal Faqquah, range of hills, eastern spur of the Samarian Hills, located at the southeastern edge of the Esdraelon plain, NE Israel; rising to 1,630…
(Encyclopedia) Wellhausen, JuliusWellhausen, Juliusy&oomacr;lˈy&oobreve;s vĕlˈhouˌzən [key], 1844–1918, leading German biblical scholar of the 19th cent. He is recognized for his documentary…
(Encyclopedia) PtolemaïsPtolemaïstŏləmāˈīs [key], ancient name given to several cities to honor members of the dynasty of the Ptolemies. One of these later became known as Akko, in modern Israel.…
(Encyclopedia) hostage, person held by another as a guarantee that certain actions or promises will or will not be carried out. During periods of internal turmoil, insurgents often seize hostages;…
(Encyclopedia) NegevNegevnĕgˈĕv [key] or NegebNegebnĕgˈĕb [key] [Heb.,=dry], hilly desert region of S Israel, c.5,140 sq mi (13,310 sq km), bordered by the Judaean Hills, the Wadi Arabah, the Sinai…
