viii. 34; ix. 40.) He was only about five years of age when his father was slain, and on the news of this catastrophe, the nurse who had charge of him, apprehending that the whole house of Saul would be exterminated, fled away with him; but in her flight stumbled with the child, and lamed him for life. David made provision for Mephibosheth and his family. (2 Sam. ix. 913; xvi. 1-4; xix. 24-30.) 2. A son of Saul by his concubine Rizpah. (2 Sam. xxi. 8.)

written "over against the candlestick | shame, or abasement. 1. The son of upon the plaster of the wall" in Bel- Jonathan and grandson of Saul; (2 shazzar's palace. (Dan. v. 5--28.) | Sam. iv. 4;) also called "Meribbaal" The various classes of "wise men" could | =contender against Baal. (1 Chron. not read the writing so as to interpret it. "Mene, Mene, Tekel Upharsin," | not only mean Numbered, Numbered, Weighed, and Dividing; but, as Dr. Pusey has observed, "All the words of that writing contain, not an ambiguous, but a twofold meaning, as explained by the prophet himself. Mene signifies at once numbered and ended: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it." The full interpretaof this isolated device, evidently required a supernatural endowment on the part of Daniel-a conclusion which is confirmed by the exact coincidence of the event with the prediction; for, "in that same night was Belshazzar the king slain; and Darius the Median took the kingdom." (Dan. v. 26-31.) MENI=fate, destiny. This word, rendered "that number," margin Meni, (Isa. lxv. 12,) was the name of an idol which the Jews in Babylon worshipped by public entertainments of food and drink. Probably the planet Venus, the goddess of fate, as coupled with Gad or Jupiter, the god of fortune, is intended.

MEN-STEALERS. The seizing or stealing of a free-born Hebrew, either to treat him as a slave or sell him as a slave to others, was, by the law of Moses, punished with death. (Ex. xxi. 16; Deut. xxiv. 7.) To murder and sins of uncleanness, the Apostle subjoins "men-stealers,” i.e., kidnapping; a crime universally regarded as of the deepest dye, and forbidden by the Greeks and Romans. (1 Tim. i. 10.) MENUCHITES.-See HATSI-HAM

MENUCHOTH.

MEONENIM.-See MAON. MEONOTHAI=my dwellings. A son of Othniel. (1 Chron. iv. 13, 14.) MEPHAATH=splendour, or lofty place. A Levitical city in Reuben, afterwards belonging to Moab. (Josh. xiii. 18; xxi. 37; 1 Chron vi. 79; Jer. xlviii. 21.)

MEPHIBOSHETH=termination of

MERAB.-See ADRIEL.

MERAIAH=rebellion against Jehovah. One of the priests. (Neh. xii. 12.) MERAIOTH = rebellions. 1. The son of Zerahiah, of the family of Eleazer. (1 Chron. vi. 6, 7, 52; Ezra vii. 3.) 2. One of the priests. (1 Chron. ix. 11; Neh. xi. 11.) 3.-See MEREMOTH.

MERARI = bitter, unhappy. The youngest son of Levi; (Gen xlvi. 11; Ex. vi. 16, 19; Num. iii. 17; 1 Chron. vi. 1;) whose descendants, the "Merarites," formed one of the three great divisions of the Levitical tribe. (Num. xxvi. 57.)

MERATHAIM=double rebellion. A symbolical name probably for Assyria and Babylon. (Jer. lx. 21.)

MERCHANTS. The earliest mode of commerce was doubtless by caravans; hence the Hebrew word sahhar, rendered "merchant,” and “merchantman," signifies a travelling merchant, one who traverses countries in order to buy or sell. (Gen. xxxiii. 16; xxvii. 28; 1 Kings x. 28; Isa. xxiii. 2; Ezek. xxvii. 21; xxxviii. 13; compare James iv. 13.) In Isa. xxiii. 11, the word "Canaan" is translated the " merchant city," probably designating Tyre or Phenicia. The earliest commerce with India, of which we have any knowledge, was carried on in this way by the merchants of Arabia and Egypt.

MERCURIUS = merchant. The

Greek word Hermes the interpreter, | i.e., to make atonement for it, so kappoin heathen mythology, designated reth is properly rendered by the Greek Mercury, the son of Jupiter and Maia, | word ilasterion=place of propitiation, the messenger of the gods, the patron or "mercy seat," because the high of eloquence, learning, and traffic. The priest was accustomed once a year to people of Lystra thought that Paul and enter the holy of holies and sprinkle Barnabas were gods; "and they cal- upon the lid or covering of the ark the led Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mer- blood of an expiatory victim, and atonecurius, because he was the chief ment was made for sin. (Lev. xvi. 13 speaker." (Acts xiv. 12.) -15, Ps. lxxx. 1.) Christ Jesus is set forth as our propitiatory sacrifice; (Rom. iii. 24, 25;) and through faith in His blood, we have free access at all times, to the throne of grace-the mercy seat of heaven. (Eph. ii. 18; Heb. iv. 16; 1 John. ii. 2.)

MERCY. This attribute of Jehovah is a modification of His goodness. By the propitiatory sacrifice of our Divine Reedeemer a way is opened for the exercise of mercy and grace, towards the human family, perfectly honourable to the attributes and government of God. But this Divine sacrifice made no alteration in the Divine mind regarding us. It did not create the mercy, inasmuch as there could have been no sacrificial atonement, had not mercy previously existed. The Divine sacrifice was the dictate and emanation of infinite mercy. Hence the plan of salvation by Jesus Christ, is the great proof of God's mercy, and provides for the exercise of it, consistently with the most rigid demands of truth and righteousness; so that under this gracious dispensation, "mercy and truth" are said to have "met together," and "righteousness and peace have kissed each other." (Gen. xix. 19; Ex. xx. 6; xxxiv. 6, 7; Ps. lxxxv. 10; lxxxvi. 15, 16; ciii. 17; Luke xviii. 13; Rom. ix. 15-18; Heb. iv. 16; viii. 12.) Mercy is also a Christian grace, and no duty is more strongly urged by the Scriptures than the exercise of it towards all men, and especially towards such as have trespassed against us. (Matt. v. 7; xviii. 33-35; Hos. vi. 6; Matt. ix. 13.) God is pleased with the exercise of mercy rather than with the offering of sacrifices; though sin has made the latter necessary. (1 Sam. xv. 22; Mic. vi. 6-8; Hos. vi. 6; Matt. ix. 13.)

MERCY-SEAT. The lid, or cover, of the ark of the covenent. (Ex. xxv. 17-22; xxx. 6; xxxi. 7; 1 Chron. xxviii. 11; Heb. ix. 5.) As the Hebrew word kipper means to cover sin,

MERED=rebellion, defection. A descendant of Judah, who, during the residence in Egypt, married Bithiah, the daughter of Pharoah. (1 Chron. iv. 17, 18.)

MEREMOTH=heights. 1. The son of Uriah or Urijah the priest; (Ezra viii. 33; Neh. iii. 4, 21; x. 5; xii. 3;) also called "Meraioth." (Neh. xii. 15.) 2. A son of Bani. (Ezra x. 36.)

MERES=worthy, deserving. A Persian prince or noble. (Est. i. 14.)

MERIBAH quarrel, strife. 1. The fountain near Rephidim, which issued from the rock in Horeb, which Moses smote by the Divine command; also called "Massah" temptation, trial. (Deut. vi. 16; ix. 22; Ex. xvii. 1—7.) This miracle occurred in the early part of the wanderings of the Hebrews in the desert. 2. Another fountain produced in the same manner, and under similar circumstances as the preceding, near Kadesh, in the desert of Zin; also called "waters of Meribah," and "Meribah Kadesh." (Deut. xxxiii. 8; Ps. xcv. 8; cvi. 32.) This miracle occurred near the close of the wanderings of the Hebrews in the desert. (Num. xx. 1-24; xxvii. 14; Deut. xxxii. 51; Ps. lxxxi. 7; Ezek. xlvii. 19.)-See Rock.

MERIB-BAAL. See MEPHIBO

SHETH.

MERODACH=arrow, or perhaps death. An idol of the Babylonians, probably the planet Mars, the god of blood and slaughter. Some identify

MER

with Bel. (Jer. 1. 2.) Of the wor- | ship of this idol by the Assyrians and Babylonians, we have testimony in some of the names of the kings, as Evil-Merodach, and Merodach-Baladan. (2 Kings xx. 12; Isa. xxxix. 1.) MERODACH-BALADAN = death the worshipper of Bel? The son of Baladan, king of Babylon, who was (Isa. contemporary with Hezekiah. xxxix. 1; 2 Chron. xxxii. 31.) This name is also written "Berodach-Baladan." (2 Kings xx. 12.) During the last year of Sargon, king of Assyria, Merodach-Baladan repossessed himself for a short time of his father's throne in Babylon. In the Assyrian inscriptions, Sennacherib, in his first year, is said to have vanquished Maradak Balidin, king of lower Chaldea, about 714 B.C., or as others think about 704 B.C. In the fourth year of Sennacherib, Merodach Baladan again revolted, and was again defeated, and the Assyrian king placed his son Esarhaddon on the throne of Babylon.-See BALADAN.

During the dry season of the year the Arabs pasture their cattle on the northern part of the marsh; and penetrate as far down as the reeds of the Lake. The whole marsh was probably at one time covered with water, and the northern part has been gradually filled by detritus from the mountains and plains. Even now, in the rainy season, it is mostly submerged. The whole Lake and marsh, it is said, might be drained without difficulty, and at a moderate expense.-See JORDAN.

MERONOTHITE. Probably an inhabitant of Meron place of wailing. (1 Chron. xxvii. 38; Neh. iii. 7.)

MEROZ = refuge. A place in the northern part of Palestine, the inhabitants of which were accursed for not having taken the field with Barak against Sisera. (Judg. v. 23.) Mr. Drake thinks that Murussus, a village on the summit of a knoll, north of the Jalud, may be the representative of this ancient town; but others suppose that it was near Kishon, and not far from Kedesh Naphtali.-See BETHSHITTAH.

MESECH.-See MESHECH.

1. MESHA debt, loan. A place described as the eastern limit of the region inhabited by the descendants of "el-Joktan. (Gen. x. 30.) Some suppose Mesene, i.e., Meisan, situated among the mouths of the Pasitigris, where this river empties itself into the Persian gulf, to be intended. Others prefer the Zames range, now called the Nejd Mountains, a fertile region of Arabia, extending thence to the Indian Ocean on the east, and the Red Sea on the south.-See SEPHAR.

MEROM height, elevated. The upper or highest Lake on the Jordan, in the northern part of Judea; also called the "Waters of Merom;" (Josh. xi. 5, 7;) and "the Lake Samochonitis;" (Jos. Ant. v. 5, 1;) and now Huleh," by the Arabs. The length of the marsh is about ten miles, and is covered with reeds and rushes; but the plain is about fifteen miles in length, and on the west widens forming a beautiful and very fertile champaign called Ard el-Khait. The Lake is estimated at about four miles in length, and its greatest width three, but from periodical variations it is sometimes considerably more; and it narrows considerably towards the Jordan. Dr. Porter estimates the depression of the Lake at about 100 feet The Lake below the level of the sea. is fed by numerous fountains and streams, of which the largest is the Jordan. The water is clear and sweet; and its surface is, in many places, covered with a marsh plant, having very broad leaves; and its bosom frequented by a variety of water fowl.

2. MESHA deliverance. 1. A king of Moab, who refused to pay to the king of 1srael the annual tribute; for which Jehoram, with his allies, invaded his territories, and closely besieged the king in the capital. Mesha attempted to cut his way through the ranks of the besiegers; but failing in this, in the madness of his despair, he made the horrible sacrifice of his eldest son, openly upon the wall, to propitiate his angry gods. The revolting spectacle compelled the Hebrews to raise the

2 K

2; Acts iv. 25-27; x. 36-38; John i. 41; iv. 25.) As the anointed of Jehovah, it was predicted that the qualities of “king," (Ps. ii. 6; lxxii. Η19; Isa. xxxii. 1; Dan. ix. 25; Col. i. 17, 18,) "prophet," (Deut. xviii. 15; Acts iii. 22, Isa. Ixi. 1-3; Luke iv. 16--21,) and "high priest," would eminently centre in Him. (Ps. cx. 4; Heb. v. 10; vii. 24

Abana and Pharpar. The great plains | of Mesopotamia possess nearly similar characters, a nearly uniform level, with a soil possessing good agricultural qualities, but barren from want of irrigation. The exceptions are where the plains are intersected by hills, or ranges of hills. The climate of these plains is characterised by great dryness, combined with very great variations in-28; ix. 11-12; x. 5-14.) That the temperature of the air. The absence of trees on the plains is a phenomenon difficult to account for, but originates possibly in an only occasional supply of moisture. The middle of March, says Mr. Layard, in Mesopotamia, is the epoch of spring; the pastures then abound in rich and luxuriant herbage and the meadows are enamelled with flowers of every hue. The whole region is studded with mounds and ruins of Assyrian and Babylonian greatness. Mesopotamia appears to have been anciently divided into various distinct territories under princes of their own; (Judg. iii. 8-10; 2 Kings xix. 12, 13; Isa. xxvii. 12;) until subjugated by the kings of Assyria. Even after Mesopo-year of the reign of Artaxerxes Lontamia had ceased to be an Assyrian province, it formed part of the great monarchies which successively arose in Upper Asia, the Babylonian, Persian, and Macedonian. This region now forms part of the Turkish empire.

MESSENGER.-See FOOTMAN. MESSIAH = anointed. This Hebrew term is applied, by way of eminence, to Jesus Christ, i.e., Jesus the Anointed. This term sometimes designates the Hebrew kings, who were anointed; (1 Sam. x. 1; xv. 1; xvi. 3, 13; 2 Sam. i. 14, 16; 1 Kings i. 39;) the high priests; (Ex. xxx. 30; xl. 13, 15; Lev. iv. 3, 5, 16; vi. 20 ;) and the prophets. (1 Chron. xvi. 22; Ps. cv. 15.) Even Cyrus the king of Persia, is prophetically called "the anointed of Jehovah." (Isa. xlv. 1.) But the "Messiah" is the designation given by the Hebrews, pre-eminently to that Saviour and Deliverer whom they expected, and who was promised to them by the prophets. (1 Sam. ii. 10; Ps. ii,

the Messiah has long since made His appearance is evident from Daniel's prediction concerning the "seventy weeks" which were determined upon the Hebrews and upon the Holy City, when the Messiah should make an end of sin, and bring in an everlasting righteousness. (Dan. ix. 24-27.) That by the "seventy weeks" we are to understand seventy weeks of years, properly seventy sevens of years, equal to 490 years, is generally conceded by commentators. The seventy weeks or heptades of years are divided into the three portions of seven weeks, sixty-two weeks, and one week, or 49 +434+7= 490 years. We fix the commencement of the 490 years in the twentieth

gimanus, when he gave to Nehemiah the command "to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem." (Neh. ii. 1—12.) Some chronologists fix the twentieth year of the Persian monarch in 454 B.C.; others in 444 B.C. Perhaps the variation may mainly arise from the difference of the lunar or the solar year, some nations reckoning by the one and some by the other; as at that period there was no uniform method of determining the length of the year. If we commence the period of 490 years, with 454 B.C., the first period of

seven weeks" or 49 years from this -when the city was rebuilt, "in troublous times," and the national affairs established by Nehemiah-will terminate 405 B.C. From the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the public manifestation of the Messiah-His baptism by John -was 434 years, which terminated A.D. 29. After this we have the period of seven years, during which the Messiah confirms the ancient covenant with the