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Medeba

(Encyclopedia)Medeba mĕdˈĭbə, mēˈ– [key], town, Jordan, the modern Madaba, E of the Dead Sea. An ancient Moabite town, it changed hands between Moab and Israel several times. In early Christian times it was...

Asher

(Encyclopedia)Asher ăshˈər [key] [Heb.,=happy], in the Bible, tribe of Israel. Its eponym was Jacob's eighth son. It occupied the northwestern part of ancient Palestine, and its position laid Asher open to influ...

Kishon

(Encyclopedia)Kishon kīˈshŏn [key] [Heb. Qishon=tortuous], intermittent river, c.45 mi (70 km) long, rising below Mt. Gilboa, N Israel, and flowing NW to the Mediterranean Sea near Haifa; only the lower 7-mi (11...

Gog

(Encyclopedia)Gog, in the Bible. In the Book of Ezekiel, Gog is a leader, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal who will attack Israel and be defeated in the last days. Magog is his country. The same theme surfaces...

Pul

(Encyclopedia)Pul pŭl [key], in the Old Testament. 1 Assyrian king, invader of Israel, known as Tiglathpileser III. 2 African region. Probably the same as Phut or Punt. ...

Jephthah

(Encyclopedia)Jephthah jĕfˈthə [key], in the Book of Judges, a Hebrew raider, son of Gilead and a judge of Israel. He vowed if victorious over the Ammonites to sacrifice the first of his household to meet him on...

Joram

(Encyclopedia)Joram jōˈrəm [key], in the Bible. 1, 2 Kings of Israel and Judah: see Jehoram (1,) (2.) 3 Son of Toi, king of Hamath, sent to congratulate David on the defeat of Hadadezer. An alternate form is Had...

Pekah

(Encyclopedia)Pekah pēˈkə [key], in the Bible, king of Israel. He was a general under King Pekahiah and murdered him for the throne. As the head of an anti-Assyrian coalition, he went to war with Ahaz of Judah. ...

Cantor, Eddie

(Encyclopedia)Cantor, Eddie, 1892–1964, American entertainer, b. New York City, originally named Edward Israel Isskowitz. Cantor became one of the best-known theatrical figures of his day. His style was typified ...

Renan, Ernest

(Encyclopedia)Renan, Ernest ĕrnĕstˈ rənäNˈ [key], 1823–92, French historian and critic. He began training for the priesthood but renounced it in 1845. His first trip to Italy (1849) influenced his interest ...