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Jerusalem

(Encyclopedia)Jerusalem jəro͞oˈsələm, –zələm [key], Heb. Yerushalayim, Arab. Al Quds, city (1994 pop. 578,800), capital of Israel. East Jerusalem is also claimed by Palestinians as a future capital, and mo...

Franko, Ivan

(Encyclopedia)Franko, Ivan ēˈvän fränˈkō [key], 1856–1916, Ukrainian writer and nationalist. His realistic novels Boryslav Laughs (1881–82) and Boa Constrictor (1878, tr. 1961) portray the harsh existence...

Gentileschi, Orazio

(Encyclopedia)Gentileschi, Orazio jānˌtēlĕsˈkē [key], c.1562–c.1639, Tuscan painter, b. Pisa. His real surname was Lomi, but he adopted his uncle's name. He studied in Rome, where he was associated with Ag...

Fertile Crescent

(Encyclopedia)Fertile Crescent, historic region of the Middle East. A well-watered and fertile area, it arcs across the northern part of the Syrian desert. It is flanked on the west by the Mediterranean and on the ...

Gad

(Encyclopedia)Gad, in the Bible, son of Jacob and Zilpah and eponymous founder of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Its allotment was half of Gilead; this was the land best suited to the pastoral life, which Gad, lik...

Moreh

(Encyclopedia)Moreh mōˈrē [key], in the Bible. 1 Place, ancient Palestine, known by its holy tree, near Shechem. It was Abraham's first resting place after entering the land of Canaan. 2 Hill of N ancient Palest...

Shunem

(Encyclopedia)Shunem sho͞oˈnəm [key], in the Bible, town of Issachar, on the north side of the vale of Jezreel. The adjective Shulamite probably refers to it. It is the present-day Sulam (Israel). ...

Jair

(Encyclopedia)Jair jāˈər [key], in the Bible. 1 Judge of Israel. 2 Mordecai's father. 3 See Jaare-oregim. See also Havoth-jair. ...

Menahem

(Encyclopedia)Menahem mĕnˈəhĕm [key], d. c.737 b.c., king of Israel (c.749–c.737 b.c.). He was governor of Tirzah and murdered Shallum for the throne of Samaria. Menahem was made a tributary by Tiglathpileser...

Zorah

(Encyclopedia)Zorah zōrēˈə [key], in the Bible, town, ancient Palestine, the modern Zora, Israel, W of Jerusalem. Zorah was the home of Samson. The town was also called Zareah, and its inhabitants were known as...