ASTYAGES as-ti'-a-jes (Astuages; or Astyigas (in Ktesias)), or Istuvigu, son of Cyaxares. I, king of the Medes 585-550 BC, and predecessor of Cyrus (Bel and the Dragon verse 1): His wife was the daughter of Alyattes, king of Lydia. The daughter of Astyages (Mandane) married a Persian, Cambyses, and a son was born to them who later became Cyrus th

ASTRONOMY, II _II. The Constellations._ The principal achievement of the science of astronomy in the centuries during which the books of the Old Testament were written was the arrangement and naming of the constellations, and there can be no reasonable doubt that the same system was known to the Hebrews as that which has been handed down to us thr

ASTRONOMY, III _III. Physiography._ 1. The Circle of the Earth: It has generally been assumed that the Hebrews considered the earth to be a vast circular plain, arched over by a solid vault-- "the firmament"--above which were stored, as if in cisterns, the "treasuries" (Job 38:22) of the rain, snow and hail, and some writers have even attempted t

ASTROLOGY as-trol'-o-ji: _I. THE DESIRE TO FORECAST THE FUTURE_ 1. Methods of Soothsaying 2. Divination 3. Looking in the Liver 4. The Astrologers, or Dividers of the Heavens 5. The Stargazers, or Seers of the Constellations 6. The Monthly Prognosticators, or Men Who Knew the Omens of the New Moon _II. THE WORSHIP OF THE HEAVENLY BODIES THE

ASTRONOMY, I as-tron'-omi: _I. THE HEAVENLY BODIES_ 1. The Ordinances of Heaven 2. The Sun (1) The Names for the Sun (2) The "City of the Sun" (3) The Greater Light-Giver (4) The Purpose of the Sun (5) The Sun as a Type 3. The Moon (1) The Names for the Moon (2) The Lesser Light-Giver (3) Phases of the Moon 4. Signs (1) Solar and Luna

ASTRAY a-stra' (ta`ah, "to wander," "to err"; planaomai, "to go astray," each carrying the idea of being lost): With one exception (Exodus 23:4 "his ass going astray") used metaphorically of moral wandering, going astray in paths of error and sin, like "sheep going astray" (1 Peter 2:25 the King James Version; Isaiah 53:6; Psalms 119:176). This w

ASTONISHMENT as-ton'-ish-ment: Amazement; mental surprise, excitement, wonder; often the cause of the startled emotion, as in Deuteronomy 28:37: "Thou shall become an astonishment." The chosen people, visited with calamities for idolatry would become a source of amazement to all nations (Jeremiah 25:9,11,18); Solomon's' lofty and beautiful temple

ASTATH as'-tath (Astath):The form given in 1 Esdras 8:38 to the name which in Ezra 8:12 appears as Azgad. See AZGAD. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASTATH'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

ASTONISHED; ASTONIED as-ton'-isht, as-ton'-id (shamem, "astonished," the root idea being "silent," i.e. struck dumb with amazement; ekplessomai, "to be struck with astonishment," as if by a blow or a shock; existemi, "to amaze," "to throw into wonderment"; thambeomai, "to astonish" to the point of fright): The state of being surprised, startled, s

ASTARTE; ASTORETH as-tar'-te. See ASHTAROTH. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASTARTE; ASTORETH'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

ASTAROTH as'-ta-roth. See ASHTAROTH. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASTAROTH'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

ASTAD as'-tad: The reading of the English versions of 1 Esdras 5:13 for the name which appears as Azgad in Ezra 2:12 and Nehemiah 7:17. In the different Greek copies of 1 Esdras the name varies. See AZGAD; ASTATH. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASTAD'".

ASSYRIAN AND BABYLONIAN LIBRARIES See NINEVEH, LIBRARY OF. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASSYRIAN AND BABYLONIAN LIBRARIES'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA, RELIGION OF See BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA, RELIGION OF. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA, RELIGION OF'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

ASSURBANIPAL as-ur-ba'-ni-pal. See ASHURBANIPAL. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASSURBANIPAL'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

ASSYRIA a-sir'-i-a: _I. GEOGRAPHY_ _II. EARLY HISTORY_ _III. CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS_ _IV. POPULATION_ _V. TRADE AND LAW_ _VI. ART_ _VII. MECHANICS_ _VIII. FURNITURE, POTTERY AND EMBROIDERY_ _IX. LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND SCIENCE_ _X. GOVERNMENT AND ARMY_ _XI. RELIGION_ _XII. EXCAVATIONS_ _XIII. CHRONOLOGY_ _XIV. HISTORY_ 1. Early Per

ASSURANCE a-shoor'-ans: A term exceptionally rich in spiritual meaning. It signifies the joyous, unwavering confidence of an intelligent faith; the security of a fearless trust. The original words have to do with the heart of vital religion. baTach, "trust"; 'aman, "to prop," "to support," hence to confide in, to trust. Jesus repeatedly used this

ASSUR as'-ur. See ASUR. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASSUR'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

ASSUAGE a-swaj' (the King James Version Asswage) :Lit,. "sweeten," "soften down"; then, "mitigate," "abate"; used of "flood," Genesis 8:1 ("subside"); of grief, Job 16:5,6 ("restrain"); also applied to any strong emotion; not used in the New Testament. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D

ASSUMPTION OF MOSES a-sump'-shun. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASSUMPTION OF MOSES'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.