Assyrian nation. Indeed the eagleheaded deity seems to be a secondary form of the idol Asshur, indicative of courage and power.-See AsSYRIA.

NITRE. The Hebrew word neter, rendered"nitre," (Jer. ii. 22; Prov. XXV. 20,) designates the mineral alkali called natron, or native carbonate of soda. It differs from the vegetable alkali called in Hebrew borith rendered "sope." (Jer. ii. 22; Mal. iii. 2.) Nor must the Hebrew neter or natron be confounded with the nitrate of potash, or saltpetre, to which the term "nitre" is now most usually applied. The natural mineral alkali natron is composed of the carbonate, sulphate, and muriate of soda, derived from the soil of various regions in the East. The efflorescences of nitrate of potassium, of chloride or hydro-chlorate of sodium, aud other saline efflorescences, are common on the plains of Babylonia. There are several lakes in Egypt, where the natron both floats as a whitish scum upon the water, and is found deposited at the bottom, after the water is evaporated by the heat of summer. The interior of the desert, in the northern part of Sinai, offers here and there, after rains, slight efflorescences of natron. It is not improbable that Moses, in the desert, after burning the calf, reduced the golden covering to powder with natron, instead of tartaric acid, which is now employed in reducing gold. Natron was much used by the Egyptians in the process of embalming. Natron, when mixed with oil, was anciently used as soap. (Jer. ii. 22.) With an acid natron effervesces, and loses its strength. (Prov. xxv. 20.) It is used in Egypt, in cookery, to assist in boiling meat, and by the bakers to put into bread instead of yeast. NO.-See NO-AMON. NO-AMON seat, portion, or ing of Amon. The ancient and splendid metropolis of upper Egypt, the chief seat of the worship of Amon. This city is called "No;" (Ezek. xxx. 14— 16; Jer. xlvi. 25;) and "No-Amon," rendered "populous No;" (Nah. iii. 8,

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margin;) and was known to the Greeks and Romans by the names Thebes= head or capital, and Diospolis=Jupiter's city; and is called by Homer, "the city of a hundred gates." (Il. ix. 388.) In the time of Nahum, this city was already destroyed, before Nineveh, probably by the Assyrian Tartan, under Sargon, about B.C. 717; (Isa. xx. 1— 6;) and after being in part restored, was captured by Cambyses B.C. 525; and was finally destroyed by Ptolemy Lathyrus, B.C. 81. The venerable city was celebrated for the multitude of its obelisks and statues, and the splendour of its temple-palaces of gigantic architecture. Indeed, the vast ruins of the temples at Luksor and Karnak, reposing in sad and solitary grandeur, still proclaim the magnificence with which the worship of Amon was conducted. The ruins of the city extend about eight miles along the Nile, from each bank to the sides of the enclosing mountains, and describe a circuit of twenty-seven miles. The walls of the vast temples are covered with sculptures and hieroglyphics, representing in general the deeds of the kings; and some of the inscriptions afford happy illustrations of the inspired volume.See REHOBOAM.

NOADIAH = whom Jehovah convenes. 1. One of the Levites. (Ezra viii. 33.) 2. A prophetess, who, with others, attempted to put Nehemiah in fear. (Neh. vi. 14.)

1. NOAH=rest, quiet. The son of Lamech, and the tenth in descent from Adam. (Gen. v. 29-32; 1 Chron. i. 4; Luke iii. 36.) He is described as

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xxiv. 37-39; Luke xvii. 26.) So the Lord's servants at this day are prone to mourn over the little success of their ministry; but Noah's, so far as appears, was without any; yet, like Enoch, he pleased God. May not this show that it is the faithful labour, rather than the fruits of it, which secures the Divine favour. In due time, the threatened calamity, which Noah's degenerate contemporaries had despised, came upon them with all its terrors; and as they sank in the mighty waters, their last breath must have sighed out a mournful condemnation of their folly. When the waters had subsided, and a sacrifice had been offered, God entered into a covenant with Noah; (Gen. vii. 1-24; viii. 1-22; Isa. liv. 9;) and also enacted some general laws for his government. (Gen. ix. 1-29; x. 1, 32.) Among other agricultural operations, Noah planted a vineyard: "And he drank of the wine, and was drunken." This was probably a fault of inadvertence, one in which he was overtaken, and of which he afterwards bitterly repented. While in this state he was treated indecorously by one of his sons, which appears to have been the occasion of Noah's remarkable prediction against Canaan. (Gen. ix. 20-27.) After the deluge, Noah lived 350 years, and died at the advanced age of 950 years.

2. NOAH = motion. A daughter of Zelophehad. (Num. xxvi. 33.)

NOB height. A city of the priests, in Benjamin, within sight of Jerusalem, on the north-west, where the tabernacle was stationed in the time of Saul. (1 Sam. xxi. 1; Neh. xi. 32; Isa. x. 32.) On account of the kindness shown to David, by Ahimelech, the high priest, Saul caused the city to be smitten with the edge of the sword. (1 Sam. xxii. 9-19.) Conder identifies Neby Samwil with Nob and the 66 High Place" of Gibeon, and probably also Mizpeh. There are traces of a small but very ancient town, and cisterns hewn in the rock. It commands a distinct though distant view of Mount Zion. (Isa. x. 28-32.) NOBAH.-See KENATH.

NOBLEMAN. The Greek word basilikos, rendered "nobleman," margin, "courtier," or "ruler," signifies a minister, or servant of the king; probably one who was then attached to the court of Herod Antipas. (John iv. 46, 49.)

NOD-flight, wandering. The region of exile, on the eastward of Eden, to which the fratricide Cain withdrew "from the presence of Jehovah." The Chaldee interpreters apply the term Nod to Cain himself, rather than to a region-"He dwelt a fugitive in the land." (Gen. iv. 14, 16.)

NODAB=nobility. A son of Ishmael, the ancestor of a tribe of the same name; (1 Chron. v. 19;) probably dwelling on the east side of Hermon. He may be the same with "Kedemah.” (Gen. xxv. 15; 1 Chron. i. 31.)

NOE.-See NOAH.

NOGAH a shining, splendour. A son of David. (1 Chron. iii. 7; xiv. 6.) NOHAH=rest. A son of Benjamin. (1 Chron. viii. 2.)

NOON. The Hebrew word tzaharaim signifies double light, i.e., strongest, brightest, hence called "mid-day,' when the sun is highest in his daily course, being direct south, or on the meridian of any place. (Gen xliii. 16; Deut. xxviii. 29; Ps. lv. 17; 1 Kings xviii. 29, comp. 26, 27; Acts xxvi. 13.) The terms "noon," and "noon-day," sometimes designate prosperity, happiness. (Job xi. 17; Ps. xxxviii. 6; Isa. lviii. 10; Am. viii. 9.)

NOPH.-See MEMPHIS. NOPHAH=blast, or windy place? A town of the Moabites. (Num. xxi.30.) NORTH. The Hebrews considered the cardinal points of the heaven in reference to a man whose face was turned toward the east, the north was consequently on his left hand; (Gen. xiii. 14; Josh. xv. 10; Judg. xxi. 19; Jer. i. 13;) hence "the left hand" designates the north. (Gen. xiv. 15; Job xxiii. 9.) They also regarded what lay to the north as higher, and what lay to the south as lower; hence they who travelled from south to north were said to "go up;" (Gen. xlv. 25;

Syrian lady, with the nose-ring. NOSE-JEWEL. The Hebrew word nezem, rendered "ear-ring," margin, "jewel for the forehead;" (Gen. xxiv. 22, 47;) "nose-jewels;" (Isa. iii. 21;) and "jewel on thy forehead," margin, "nose," (Ezek. xvi. 12,) properly signifies a nose-ring, a female ornament, common in Syria. (Prov. xi. 22.) The nose-ring is also worn by many of the females in Egypt and other parts of the East. It is sometimes made of gold, but most commonly of brass; is from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter; and has usually three or more coloured glass beads, generally red and blue, attached to it. It is sometimes passed through the right and sometimes through the left ala of the nose; and hangs partly before the mouth; so that the wearer is obliged

to hold it up with one hand when she puts anything into her mouth. In some parts of the East the females wear a pendant from the septum or middle filament of the nose, which is often exceedingly beautiful and of great value.

NOVICE. The Greek word neophytos, rendered "novice," (1 Tim. iii. 6,) signifies newly planted; and is tropically used of one newly converted, and not yet matured in Christian knowledge and experience. In later periods the neophytes were usually distinguished by the general term catechumens = learners.

NUMBERS. The fourth Book of Moses, which obtains its name from the title of the Greek version, Arithmoi= Numbers; because the book contains an account of the numbering and ordering of the Hebrews and Levites, after the consecration of the tabernacle. The rest of the book contains an account of the breaking up of the Hebrews from Sinai, and their subsequent wanderings in the wilderness; and of the wonderful dealings of God with them, until their arrival on the borders of Moab, a period of something more than thirty-eight years. This book, like the rest of the books of the Pentateuch, does not seem to have been written in one continuous succession, like a continuous piece of history, as it wears the air of a historic journal, as well as a record of legislation, in which Moses was engaged as often as circumstances called for it. Throughout the book the author proves himself to be intimately acquainted with Egypt, and the circumstances of that period. The list of stations, in the route of the Hebrews, not only exhibits an equal knowledge of the desert, but also shows that the document is the production of the reputed author of the book. The author frequently quotes other documents of value; as the Book of the Wars of the Lord; (Num. xxi. 14, 15;) and in verses 17, 18, from a joyous song of the Hebrews, on the discovery of a well in the desert; and in verses 27, 30, from an ancient war-song of the Amorites on occasion of their vic

tory over Moab. There are also some highly-finished and magnificent passages of poetry ascribed to Balaam. (Num. xxiii. 7- 10, 18-24; xxiv. 39, 15-24.)

NUN-a fish. The father of Joshua, who is hence called "Joshua the son of Nun." (Ex. xxxiii. 11; Num. xi. 28; xiii. 8, 16; Josh. i. 1.) In 1 Chron. vii. 27, the name is written "Non."

NURSE. The nurse in an Eastern family is always a person of some importance. She always accompanies the bride to her husband's house, where she becomes her confident and chief adviser, and ever remaining there an honoured guest. (Gen. xxiv. 59.) Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died in the family of Jacob, and was buried in the vicinity of Bethel, with much lamentation. (Gen xxxv. 8.) The tenderness and affection of a nurse gives force to several figurative expressions in the Scriptures. (Isa. xlix. 23; 1 Thess. ii. 7.)

NUTS. The Hebrew word batnim, rendered "nuts," (Gen. xliii. 11,) is generally supposed to designate pistacia nuts, the fruit of the Pistacia vera, a tree which is found growing wild in some parts of Palestine, and resembles the Pistacia terebinthus, i.e., the butm, or terebinth. The tree, when laden with clusters of ripe nuts, makes a fine appearance, but at other times, on account of its crooked branches, is far from being handsome. The Hebrew word egoz, rendered "nut," (Sol. Song, vi. 11, is supposed to designate the walnut. Walnut-trees are abundant in Syria; and many of them are very large. Some of them yield large quantities of nuts; but it is said that the vicinity of walnut-trees is unhealthy. NYMPHAS=bridegroom. A Christian mentioned by Paul as having a church in his house. (Col. iv. 15.)

the plain, i.e., of Paran; (Gen. xiv. 6;) properly designates the terebinth. The Hebrew word alah, rendered "oak;" (Gen. xxxv. 4; Josh. xxiv. 26; Judg. vi. 11, 19; 2 Sam. xviii. 9, 10, 14; 1 Kings xiii. 14; 1 Chron x. 12; Isa. i. 30;) "teil tree;" (Isa. vi. 13;) and "elms;" (Hos. iv. 13;) seems to have been used for any large and durable tree, especially the Pistacia terebinthus. The terebinth, called by the Arabs butm, is common in Palestine. It spreads its boughs far and wide like a noble oak; and under the shade of such a tree, Abraham might well have pitched his tent at Mamre. This tree is not an evergreen. From incisions in the trunk there flows a sort of turpentine, which gradually hardens into a transparent gum. The Hebrew words alon, allon, and ailon, also designate any strong durable tree, and are used specially of the "oak;" (Gen. xxxv. 8; Isa. ii. 13; vi. 13; xliv. 15; Hos. iv. 13; Am. ii. 9; Ezek. xxvii. 6; Zech. xi. 2;) also rendered "plain," but ought to be oak, as "oaks of Moreh;" (Gen. xii. 6; Deut. xi. 30;)" oaks of Mamre;" (Gen. xiii. 18; xiv. 13; xviii. 1;)" oak of Tabor;" (1 Sam. x. 3;) and "Magician's oak." (Judg. ix. 6, 37.) There are several species of oaks in Palestine, among which the evergreen and prickly oaks occur frequently, yielding in several places extensive and beautiful park scenery; but the Quercus robur, which grows to so large a size in our own country is not to be met with. The hills of Bashan are richly wooded to their summits with noble prickly oaks, and a few pines towering over them. Groves of the evergreen shrub, Quercus conifera, or kermes oak, from which the small gall-shaped masses of insects, anciently yielding the scarlet dye, were gathered, occur in the valleys beyond the plain of Acre. (Isa. i. 18; Lam. iv. 5.)

OATH. A solemn appeal to God in attestation of the truth of what is affirmed. Among the Hebrews, a voluntary oath was sometimes confirmed by elevating the right hand towards heaven. (Gen. xiv. 22; xxvi. 28; Ex.