Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Saul

(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, and his proximi...

Kerouac, Jack

(Encyclopedia)Kerouac, Jack (John Kerouac) kĕrˈəwăkˌ [key], 1922–69, American novelist, b. Lowell, Mass., studied at Columbia. One of the leaders of the beat generation, a term he is said to have coined, he ...

Ira, in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Ira īˈrə [key], in the Bible. 1 Chief officer of David. 2, 3 Two of David's guard. ...

Eliashib

(Encyclopedia)Eliashib ĭlīˈəshĭb [key], in the Bible. 1 High priest. 2 Priest under David. 3 Descendant of David. ...

Jonathan

(Encyclopedia)Jonathan jŏnˈəthən [key] [short for Jehonathan, Heb.,=Yahweh has given]. 1 In the Bible, Saul's son and David's friend, killed at the battle of Mt. Gilboa. David showed kindness to his son Mephibo...

Adonijah

(Encyclopedia)Adonijah ădˌənīˈjə, ədŏnˈəjə [key], in the Bible, son of David. He sought the throne that David gave to the younger son, Solomon. Perhaps the same as Adonikam, a name in the lists of famili...

Zebadiah

(Encyclopedia)Zebadiah zĕbˌədīˈə [key], in the Bible. 1 Ally of David at Ziklag. 2 Officer of David. 3 Teacher of the Law. 4 High official of Jehoshaphat. Additional mention of this name is in First Chronicle...

Ahithophel

(Encyclopedia)Ahithophel əhĭthˈəfĕl [key], in the Bible, David's counselor who joined with Absalom against David. He killed himself when Absalom ignored his counsel. He may have been the grandfather of Bath-sh...

Nabal

(Encyclopedia)Nabal nāˈbəl [key], in the Bible, wealthy sheep owner who resisted David's attempt at extortion. David's anger was appeased by the blandishments of Abigail, Nabal's wife. ...

Hanun

(Encyclopedia)Hanun hāˈnən [key], in the Bible. 1 King of Ammon. His insolent reception of David's messengers brought on a disastrous war. He may be the same as Shobi, an Ammonite who was kind to David. 2, 3 Two...

Browse by Subject