Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

diadem

(Encyclopedia)diadem, in ancient times, the fillet of silk, wool, or linen tied about the head of a king, queen, or priest as a distinguishing mark. Later, it was a band of gold, which gave rise to the crown. In he...

Abel-beth-maachah

(Encyclopedia)Abel-beth-maachah āˈbəl-bĕth-māˈəkə [key], town, ancient Palestine, the modern Tel Abil (Israel), S of Metulla. In the Bible, it was attacked by Behadad and taken by Tiglathpileser. ...

Alcamo

(Encyclopedia)Alcamo älˈkämō [key], city, NW Sicily, Italy. It is an agricultural and industrial center and is noted for its white wine. The ruins of the ancient Greek settlement of...

Chesulloth

(Encyclopedia)Chesulloth kēsŭlˈŏth [key], in the Bible, town, N ancient Palestine, the same as Chisloth-tabor. ...

Etam

(Encyclopedia)Etam ēˈtəm [key], in the Bible. 1 Village, S ancient Palestine. 2 Town of Judah, SW of Bethlehem. 3 Cleft rock, where Samson hid. These may be the same. ...

Hormah

(Encyclopedia)Hormah hôrˈmə [key], in the Bible, unidentified city, extreme S ancient Palestine, earlier called Zephath. Here the invading Israelites were defeated by the Canaanites. Later the Israelites destroy...

Goshen, in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Goshen gōˈshən [key], in the Bible. 1 Fertile region of Egypt occupied by the Israelites. 2 Region, S ancient Palestine, conquered by Joshua. 3 Town of Judah. ...

Aradus

(Encyclopedia)Aradus ârˈədəs [key], islet and town of ancient Phoenicia, the modern Arwad or Arvad, N of Tripoli 2 mi off the Syrian coast. It was the most northerly of the important Phoenician centers. ...

Nain

(Encyclopedia)Nain nāˈĭn [key], village of Galilee, ancient Palestine, SE of Nazareth. It is the modern Nein, Israel. The Gospel of St. Luke reports that here Jesus raised a widow's son from the dead. ...

Avites

(Encyclopedia)Avites āˈvīts [key], in the Bible. 1 People of SW ancient Palestine, probably assimilated by the Philistines. They appear as Avims in Deuteronomy. 2 People of Ava. ...