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Sluter, Claus

(Encyclopedia)Sluter, Claus klous slüˈtər [key], d. 1406, Flemish sculptor, probably of Dutch extraction, active in Burgundy. Under Philip the Bold of Burgundy he had charge of the sculptural works for the porch...

Billings, Josh

(Encyclopedia)Billings, Josh, pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw, 1818–85, American humorist and lecturer, b. Lanesboro, Mass. After a roving life as farmer, explorer, and coal miner, he settled in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., ...

Joshua, book of the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Joshua jŏshˈo͞oə [key], book of the Bible. It is the first book of the Deuteronomic history (Joshua–2 Kings), in which the theological outlook of the Book of Deuteronomy is used to explain the f...

Exodus

(Encyclopedia)Exodus ĕkˈsədəs [key], book of the Bible, 2d of the 5 books of the Law (the Pentateuch or Torah) ascribed by tradition to Moses. The book continues the story of the ancestors of Israel in Egypt, n...

Amyraut, Moïse

(Encyclopedia)Amyraut, Moïse ămĭrălˈdəs [key], 1596–1664, French Protestant theologian. As pastor of Saumur he won a reputation as a theologian and orator, and he was appointed (1631) to present to Louis XI...

Hébert, Louis

(Encyclopedia)Hébert, Louis ləwēˈ [key], 1575–1627, French pioneer, known as the first Canadian farmer. A Paris apothecary, he spent 10 years (1604–14) in Acadia, and at Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal, N.S...

Fessenden, Thomas Green

(Encyclopedia)Fessenden, Thomas Green fĕsˈəndən [key], 1771–1837, American journalist and satirical poet, b. Walpole, N.H. Throughout his life he practiced law and edited various newspapers. Under the pseudon...

Michael, archangel

(Encyclopedia)Michael mīˈkəl [key] [Heb.,=who is like God?], archangel prominent in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. In the Bible and early Jewish literature, Michael is one of the angels of God's prese...

Aaron

(Encyclopedia)Aaron ârˈən [key], in the Bible, the brother of Moses and his spokesman in Egypt, and the first high priest of the Hebrews. He is presented as the instrument of God in performing many signs, such a...

golden calf

(Encyclopedia)golden calf, in the Bible, an idol erected by the Israelites on several occasions. Aaron made one while Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Jeroboam I made two, and Hosea denounced a calf in Samaria. A bull cult ...