(Encyclopedia) Alexander BalasAlexander Balasbāˈləs [key], d. 145 b.c., ruler of Syria, putative son of Antiochus IV. He seized power from his uncle Demetrius I (c.152 b.c.); Jonathan the Maccabee…
(Encyclopedia) Erskine, John, 1721?–1803, Scottish theologian. A leader of the evangelical party in the Church of Scotland, he was minister successively at Kirkintilloch, Culross, and New Greyfriars…
(Encyclopedia) Edwards, Jonathan, 1703–58, American theologian and metaphysician, b. East Windsor (then in Windsor), Conn. He was a precocious child, early interested in things scientific,…
(Encyclopedia) Bellamy, Joseph, 1719–90, New England clergyman, b. Cheshire, Conn. A follower of Jonathan Edwards and a powerful revivalist of the Great Awakening, he preached in Bethlehem, Conn.,…
(Encyclopedia) Saul, first king of the ancient Hebrews. He was a Benjamite and anointed king by Samuel. Saul's territory was probably limited to the hill country of Judah and the region to the north…
(Encyclopedia) MichmasMichmasmĭkˈmăs [key] or MichmashMichmash–măsh [key], town, c.8 mi (12.9 km) NE of Jerusalem. It is identified with modern Mukhmas (West Bank). In the Bible, it was a bivouac of…
(Encyclopedia) Collins, Anthony, 1676–1729, English theologian; a friend of John Locke. He set forth the position of the deists and defended the cause of rational theology. His Discourse of Free…
(Encyclopedia) Brainerd, DavidBrainerd, Davidbrāˈnərd [key], 1718–47, missionary to the Native Americans, b. Haddam, Conn. Licensed to preach in 1742, he spent his brief years among the Native…
(Encyclopedia) MattathiasMattathiasmătˌəthīˈəs [key] [Gr. variant of Mattithiah]. 1, 2 Two in Luke's genealogy. 3 Father of the Maccabees. 4 Captain under Jonathan, the Maccabee. 5 Son of Simon, the…