(Encyclopedia) IsraelIsraelĭzˈrēəl, ĭzˈrāəl [key] [as understood by Hebrews,=he strives with God], according to the book of Genesis, name given to Jacob as eponymous ancestor of the Hebrews, the…
(Encyclopedia) MagdalaMagdalamăgˈdələ [key], in the New Testament, home of Mary Magdalene. It is identified with Migdal, Israel, a town on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, and the neighboring…
(Encyclopedia) Gamelyn, The Tale ofGamelyn, The Tale ofgămˈəlĭn [key], a romance in verse, written c.1350, containing about 900 lines. It tells of the tribulations of a young man abused by his older…
(Encyclopedia) ZoarZoarzōˈər [key], in the Bible; at first named BelaZoarbēˈlə [key], it was the only one of the Cities of the Plain (see Sodom) to escape destruction. Lot and his daughters took…
(Encyclopedia) Lady of the Lake, in Arthurian legend, a misty, supernatural figure endowed with magic powers, who gave the sword Excalibur to King Arthur. She inhabited a castle in an underwater…
(Encyclopedia) DothanDothandōˈthăn [key] or DothaimDothandōthāˈĭm [key], city, central ancient Palestine, in the uplands NE of Samaria. In the Bible, it was in the vicinity of Dothan that Joseph was…
(Encyclopedia) Gregory the Illuminator, Saint, d. c.330, churchman, called the Apostle of Armenia. He was the first metropolitan of Armenia and is revered as founder of the Armenian Church. Feast:…
(Encyclopedia) Master of the Housebook (Meister des Hausbuchs), fl. 1475–1500, German graphic artist. The master is named for a series of vigorous and sophisticated drawings of everyday life found in…
(Encyclopedia) BethanyBethanybĕthˈənē [key]. 1 Village, at the southeastern foot of the Mount of Olives, the modern El Aziriye, 2 mi (3.2 km) E of Jerusalem. In the Gospels, it is the home of Lazarus…
(Encyclopedia) MagogMagogmāˈgŏg [key], in the Bible. 1 Son of Japheth. 2 The land from which Gog, the eschatological enemy of the people of God, comes to wreak havoc on Israel.