DISCIPLE di-si'-p'-l: (1) Usually a substantive (mathetes, "a learner," from manthano, "to learn"; Latin discipulus, "a scholar"): The word is found in the Bible only in the Gospels and Acts. But it is good Greek, in use from Herodotus down, and always means the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher (didaskalos). See Matthew 10:2

DISCERN di-zurn': Five Hebrew words are thus translated: bin, yadha`, nakhar, ra'ah and shama`. It may simply mean "observe" (bin), "I discerned among the youths" (Proverbs 7:7); or discriminating knowlege, "A wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment" (Ecclesiastes 8:5, yadha`); "He discerned him not, because his hands," etc. (Genesis 27:23,

DISAPPOINT dis-a-point': "To disappoint" may be used transitively or intransitively. In the former case it naturally has a more forceful meaning. Therefore the Revised Version (British and American) changes the translation of the King James Version wherever "disappoint" is used with an object: Job 5:12, "frustrateth"; Psalms 17:13, "confront him,"

DISALLOW dis-a-lou': "To disallow" as used in the Scriptures means either "to oppose," "not permit" (Hebrew no', Numbers 30:5,8,11), or "to reject" (Greek apodokimazo, literally, "to consider useless," 1 Peter 2:4,7 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "rejected"). Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bi

DISANNUL dis-a-nul'. See ANNUL. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'DISANNUL'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

DIPHATH di'-fath (diphath): A son of Gomer, son of Japheth, son of Noah (1 Chronicles 1:6), called RIPHATH (which see) in the corresponding genealogy in Genesis 10:3. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'DIPHATH'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".

DIP Priests when offering a sin offering were required to dip a finger into the blood of the sacrificed bullock and "to sprinkle of the blood seven times before Yahweh" (compare Leviticus 4:6, et al.). See also the law referring to the cleansing of infected houses (Leviticus 14:51) and the cleansing of a leper (Leviticus 14:16). In all such cases "

DIOSCURI di-os'-ku-ri (Dioscouroi; in Acts 28:11, the King James Version Castor and Pollux, the Revised Version (British and American) THE TWIN BROTHERS; in margin, "Dioscuri"): The sign of the ship on which Paul sailed from Melita to Syracuse and Rhegium. The Dioscuri (i.e. sons of Zeus), Castor and Pollux, are the two chief stars in the constell

DIOTREPHES di-ot'-re-fez (Diotrephes): A person mentioned in 3 John 1:9,10 as contentiously resisting the writer's authority and forbidding others from exercising the Christian hospitality which he himself refused to show. The words "who loveth to have the preeminence, among them" may indicate that he was a church official, abusing his position,

DIONYSUS, (BACCHUS) di-o-ni'-sus (Dionusos): The youngest of the Greek gods. In Homer he is not associated with the vine. In later Greek legend he is represented as coming from India, as traversing Asia in a triumphal march, accompanied by woodland beings, with pointed ears, snub noses and goat-tails. These creatures were called satyrs. The vine w

DIOSCORINTHIUS di-os-ko-rin'-thi-us: A certain (unidentified) month (2 Macc 11:21). See CALENDAR; TIME. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'DIOSCORINTHIUS'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

DIONYSIA di-o-nish'-i-a (Dionusia, "festivals of Dionysus" (Bacchus)): The rural (vintage) Dionysia were celebrated in the month of Poseideon (19th day), which is roughly our December. The celebration consisted of feasts, processions, songs and (sometimes) scenic performances. The Ascolia formed one of the most prominent features. After sacrificin

DIONYSIUS di-o-nish'-i-us (Dionusios, surnamed "the Areopagite"): One of the few Athenians converted by Paul (Acts 17:34). We know nothing further about him (see AREOPAGUS). According to one account he was the first bishop of the church at Athens; according to another he suffered martyrdom in that city under Domitian. We are even told that he migr

DINHABAH din'-ha-ba, din-ha'-ba (dinhabhah): The royal city of Bela, son of Beor; king of Edom (Genesis 36:32; 1 Chronicles 1:43). There may be a resemblance in the name of Hodbat et-Teneib. about 8 miles East of Heshbon; but this is in the land of Moab, and probably much too far to the North. No satisfactory identification has been proposed. Copy

DINNER din'-er (ariston; Matthew 22:4; Luke 11:38 (the Revised Version, margin "breakfast"); Luke 14:12; compare Ruth 2:14; John 21:13): In oriental as in classical lands it was customary, in ancient times, as now, to have but two meals in the day, and the evidence, including that of Josephus, goes to show that the second or evening meal was the p

DINAITES di'-na-its (dinaye'): A people mentioned in Ezra 4:9, as settled in the city of Samaria by Osnappar (Assurbanipal). The identification is uncertain. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'DINAITES'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

DINAH di'-na (dinah, "justice"): The daughter of Jacob and Leah, whose violation by Shechem, son of Hamor, caused her brothers, especially Simeon and Levi, to slay the inhabitants of Shechem, although they had induced the Shechemites to believe, if they would submit to circumcision, Shechem, the most honored of all the house of his father, would b

DIMON; DIMONAH di'-mon, di-mo'-na. See DIBON. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'DIMON; DIMONAH'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

DIMINISH di-min'-ish: the Revised Version (British and American) has retained nearly all passages of the King James Version where "to diminish" is used. Some of these uses have become obsolete: Deuteronomy 4:2, "neither shall ye diminish from it." "Diminish" generally means "to reduce," "to lessen." In this sense it is employed in Ezekiel 5:11 fro

DIMNAH dim'-na (dimnah, "dung"; Damna): A city of the Merarite Levites in the territory of Zebulun (Joshua 21:35). The name is probably a clerical error for Rimmon. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'DIMNAH'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 19