Biztha, Harbona, Bigthan, Abagtha, Zethar, and passion, it seems, made him imagine that Haman Carcas, to bring Queen Vashti to the assembly of had intended to force the queen, on the bed the men, for the display of her charms. She re-whereon she sat at the banquet: he therefore orfused to obey. Enraged hereat, Ahasuerus, by the dered his face to be covered as a signal of death. advice of Memucan, and his other six counsellors, One of the pages present informed Ahasuerus that gave Vashti an irrevocable divorce. A war with Haman had in his house a gallows prepared to the revolting BABYLONIANS, which issued in the hang Mordecai, the preserver of the king's life. ruin of most of them, and the reduction of their Ahasuerus ordered Haman himself to be hanged walls, employed his thoughts for above two years. thereon; and gave Haman's whole power and He now heartily repented of his rash divorce of honours to Mordecai; and though, according to Vashti. His servants advised him to search out the Persian law, he could not revoke the decree all the fine virgins of his vast empire, and chuse against the Jewish nation, he allowed Mordecai whom he pleased to be her successor. The vir-and Esther to write to all the provinces, that the gins were collected at Shushan, and after 2 year's Jews should stand up in their own defence, and in preparation with fine spices, were, in their turn, such manner, as tended to discourage the Heaadmitted to his bed. None of them pleased him then from attempting the massacre. Est. i. ix. equally with Esther the Jew. She was made queen in the 7th year of his reign. Whether his fruitless expedition into Scythia happened during the purification of the women, or afterwards, we know not.

Soon after Mordecai became his chief minister, Ahasuerus laid a tax on his inland territories, and on that part of Lesser Asia and the islands which belong to him. About A. M. 3495, he invaded India, and obliged the inhabitants to pay hin No sooner was Esther made queen, than Big-yearly 365 talents of silver. He had frequent than and Teresh, two of his chamberlains,resolved wars with the Greeks in Lesser Asia, and with to murder the king, disgusted perhaps with his the Athenians and others in Europe, which gentreatment of Vashti Mordecai informed against erally issued to his loss and disgrace. A little bethem; the crime was proven, and the traitors fore his death, the Egyptians revolted from his were hanged. Just after, Ahasuerus made Ha-yoke. He died 4. M. 3519, after a reign of 36 MAN his chief minister of state: He, enraged that years, and was succeeded by Xerxes, his son. Mordecai denied him the honours he desired, obAHAVA, a petty river of Chaldea, or rather tained an edict, to have the whole Jewish nation Assyria. Here Ezra, with his attendant Jews, cut off in one day, and their estates confiscated to observed a solemn fast, for direction and success the king. To prevent the execution, Esther ad-in their return to Judea, Ezra, viii. 15,-21, vised by Mordecai, risked her life, in approaching AHAZ, the son of Jotham, king of Judah. Athe royal presence uncalled. Melted with affec-bout the 10th year of his age, he espoused Abijali tion, Ahasuerus held out to her his golden sceptre, the daughter of Zechariah, by whom he had his as a token that her life was in no danger; and son Hezekiah, about a year after. At twenty asked her request. She only invited him and years of age, Áhaz became heir to the crown, A. Haman to a splendid treat. At the banquet he M. 3265, and reigned 16 years. In imitation of again offered her whatever she asked, to the half the kings of Israel, he abandoned himself to the of his kingdom. She only begged they would most abominable idolatries. One of his sons he come to-morrow to a second entertainment. That sacrificed to the idol Moloch; and perhaps causvery night, the king could take no sleep: he there-ed the rest to pass through the fire, for lustrafore ordered the records of the empire to be read tion. He did not merely connive at the people's to him. The reader happened on the passage of offering of sacrifices in high places, as sundry of Mordecai's information against the treacherous his predecessors had done; but himself ordered chamberlains. Finding that Mordecai had hith-sacrifices and incense to be offered in high places, erto been neglected, the king resolved now to re-hills, groves, and under green trees. Towards the ward him. Haman, who had just entered the end of his father's reign, the Syrians under Rezin, palace, to ask leave to hang Mordecai on the gal-and the Israelites under Pekah, had begun to halows which he had prepared, was called in, and rass Judah. Observing Ahaz to be a weak prince, asked what was proper to be done to the man they agreed to dethrone him, and make a son of whom the king delighted to honour? Haman, Tabeel, their deputy, king in his stead. Their expecting the honour was intended for himself, armies invaded his kingdom all at once. He and advised, that the man should be dressed in the his people were seized with the utmost consternaroyal robes, crowned with the royal diadem, tion. The prophet Isaiah assured him, that none mounted on the king's horse, while one of the of their projects should prosper; and that since chief courtiers should lead his horse through the the Messiah was not yet come, there was no reastreets, proclaiming all along, "Thus shall it be son to fear the departure of the sceptre from Judone to the man whom the king delighteth to|dah, Isa. vii. honour." The king ordered Haman immediately This stroke was diverted; but Ahaz proceeding to 'serve Mordecai the Jew in the manner in from evil to worse, the two kings made a fresh atwhich he had suggested. tack upon him. Rezin marched to Elath, a noThat very day at Esther's banquet, the king, ted sea-port on the Red Sea, and peopled it with for the third time, offered to grant her whatever Syrians. Pekah attacked Ahaz's army, and killshe would request, to the half of his kingdom. ed 120,000 of them in one day, besides Maaseiah She then begged he would interpose for the life of his son, and carried off 200,000 prisoners, men, herself and her people; as, to the king's hurt, women, and children. Moved with the remonthey were sold to be murdered. Informed that strance of Oded the prophet, the princes of Israel, Haman was the manager of this horrid scene, A-Asariah, Berechiah, Jehizkiah, and Amasa, perhasuerus flew out in a rage, and went to his gar-suaded the troops to dismiss their prisoners and den. Returning in a little, he found Haman at they returned them back, with no small tokens the feet of Queen Esther, begging his life. His of humanity. Meanwhile the Edomites, from

:

the south, ravaged the country and carried off ahim immediately: The captain of the band adnumber of the people for slaves. The Philistines, dressed Elijah too rudely: at his desire, fire from from the west, invaded the low country, adjacent heaven consumed the captain and his troop. A to their territories, and the south; and took Beth-second troop was sent on the same errand: their shemesh, Ajalon, Gederoth, Shocho, Timnah, and captain behaving with the haughty airs of his felGimo, and peopled them with a colony of their low, he and his company of fifty were in like manner consumed: As both companies were idolaters,

nation.

In his distress, Ahaz grew more and more wick-they deserved this treatment. A third troop was ed: he sought not to the Lord: but stripping the sent : warned by the fate of his brethren, this captemple and city of all the gold he could find, hetain addressed the prophet with reverence and awe sent it for a present to Tiglath-pileser, king of As-and begged him to spare his and his soldier's yria; he surrendered himself his vassal; and lives. It was done, and Elijah went along with begged his assistance against his enemies. By them: Entering the chamber of Ahaziah, he cutting off the Syrians, that were a barrier against boldly assured him, that for his orders to conthe eastern powers, and by imposing on his king-sult Baalzebub, the idol of Ekron, he should cerdom a tribute, Tiglath-pileser rather hurt than tainly die of his distemper: Nor was it long behelped him. Ahaz went to Damascus, to con-fore he expired; and his brother Jchoram reigngratulate the Assyrian monarch on his victoryed in his stead. 1 Kings xxii. 49. 2 Chron. xx. 36, over Syria: he there observed an idolatrous al-37. 2 Kings i.

tar, which mightily suited his taste: he sent off a AHAZIAH, AZARIAH, OF JEHOAHAZ, the grandplan of it to Urijah the high-priest, to form one son of Jehoshaphat, and son of Jehoram, and Asimilar. Urijah had it finished before Ahaz re-thaliah the daughter of Ahab. In the 224 year turned to Jerusalem. Ahaz ordered it to be of his age, and the 42d of the royalty of his mothpheed in the room of the brazen altar erected byer's family, he succeeded his father on the throne Solomon; and to offer all the sacrifices thereon of Judah. By the advice of his mother ATHALIAH, To gratify the king of Assyria, who it seems re-he walked after the pattern of Ahab his grandtarned him his visit, he turned about the royal father, worshipping Baalim and Ashtaroth; and entrance to the court of the temple; he took away required his subjects to do so. He had scarce the covert of the Sabbath, where it seems the reigned one year, when he repaired to Jezreel, priests stood to read the law, or the royal family to visit Jelioram king of Israel, his uncle, who had to hear it he disgraced the brazen lavers and returned thither from Ramoth Gilead, to be healsea by removing their pedestals, and setting themed of his wounds. At that very time, JEHU, the on the earth, or upon a pavement of stone. Pro-destroyer of the house of Ahab, came to cut off ceeding in his wickedness, he sacrificed to the Jehoruun. Knowing nothing of his intentions, Jeidols of Syria, who, he imagined, had been the horam and Ahaziah went out to meet him : Jehoauthors of his calamities, in order to render themram was immediately struck dead by an arrow; more favourable: he brake in pieces the sacred and Ahaziah fled to Samaria and hid himself; vesels; he shut up the gates of the temple, and On search, he was found by a party which Jehu erected altars in every corner of Jerusalem and][detached after him. It seems they brought him city of Judah, for burning of incense. He died in back part of the way to Jezreel; but at Gur, the 16th year of his reign, and was buried in Je-near Íbleam, a city of the Manassites, they, hy rusalem; but had not the honour of interment in Jehu's orders, gave him his death-wounds. His the royal tombs, 2 Kings xv. 37. xvi. 2 Chron.own servants posting away with him in his charixxviii. Isa. vii.

lot, till they came to Megiddo, he died there, and AHAZIAH, the son of Ahab. He was made his corpse was thence carried, and interred in the his father's associate in power, when he went to royal sepulchres at Jerusalem. About the same the war at Ramoth-Gilead; and reigned about a time, 42 of his brethren, or rather nephews, his year after his death. He imitated his parents in brethren being all before slain by the Arabians, the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth, and every had gone to visit Jehoram: These Jehu involved other crime. He and Jehoshaphat fitted out ain the common ruin of the house of Ahab. What fleet at Ezion-geber, to trade to Ophir, for gold;children, or friends, remained to Ahaziah were a storm dashed their ship to pieces, almost in all, except JoAsu, murdered by his mother, about their going out from the harbour. Ahaziah in-the same time. Ahaziah, his son Joash, and his tended to fit out a second fleet; but JEHOSHAPHAT grandson Amaziahı, are excluded from Matthew's refused to have any concern therein. The Moab-genealogy of Christ. Such ruin and shame was ites, who, till now, had continued tributary to the the consequence of Jehoshaphat's marrying his ten tribes, revolted, and refused their yearly tri-son into the wicked family of Ahab. Let parents bute of sheep. Ahaziah was rendered incapable and others observe, 2 Kings viii. 24,-29. ix. 27. to reduce them: Falling from one of his windows, -29. x. 12,-14. xi. 1. 2 Chron. xxii. or from the balcony of his house, he was mortally | AIJAH, a prophet of the Lord, who dwelt hart, and sickened: He sent messengers to Baal- at Shiloh. Perhaps it was he who encouraged zebub, the idol god of Ekron, to inquire if he Solomon while building the temple, and who should recover. Elijah met the messengers, and threatened him with the rent of his kingdom after asked them, if it was for want of a God in Israel, his shameful fall, 1 Kings vi. 11. xi. 6. Meeting their master had sent them to enquire of Baalze-with Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, in a field, he bab? He, moreover, assured them, that, for this rent his garment into twelve pieces, and gave him reason, he should certainly die of his disease. ten of them, as a token that he should be king They returned, and reported to the king what over ten tribes of Israel. About twenty years afthey had heard. By the tokens they gave, heter, Jeroboam's only pious son fell sick. Fearing quickly perceived it had been Elijah who had met to go himself, Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise, them he ordered a trion of his forces to fetch to consult Abijah, whether he should recover.

She, according to the manner of the times, carried grandson of Eli, and brother of Ahiah, whom he to the prophet a present of ten loaves, some succeeded in the office of high-priest. During the cracknels, and a cruise of honey. Though blind, government of SAUL, he, with a number of other by reason of age, Abijah, instructed of God, told priests, along with the tabernacle, resided at Nob. the queen at her entrance, that he knew who she To him David repaired in his flight from Saul's He assured her, that her distressed son court, and representing that Saul had sent hire should die on her retura, and that the rest of and his attendants on a most pressing errand, her family should have a miserable and ignomini-which required the utmost dispatch, begged he ous end, 1 Kings xi. xiv. Ahijah wrote part of would grant them some food. Ahimelech assurthe history of Solomon's reign, 2 Chron. ix.

was.

20.

AHIKAM, the son of Shaphan, and father of GEDALIAH. He was one of the princes of Judah; and was sent by JOSIAH to consult Huldah coneerning the threatenings of God against the nation for their wickedness, 2 Kings xxii. 12. He mightily exerted himself to protect Jeremiah's life, Jer. xxvi. 24.

ed him that he had none but shew-bread, which was allowed only to the priests, but which he believed David and his servants might eat, if for any due space they had abstained from woman. David assured him, they had touched none for at least three days. Ahimelech gave them some loaves. David further asked of him a sword or spear. Ahimelech gave him the sword of Goliath, which had been hung up in the tabernacle for a trophy.

AHIMAAZ, the son and successor of Zadok the high-priest. He and Jonathan, the son of Doeg, the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdmen, Abiathar, performed a very important service for happened to be waiting at the tabernacle upon David, during the progress of Absalom's rebellion.some purification, and witnessed the whole. Their parents and Hushai, all fast friends of When Saul was afterward complaining to his serDavid, continuing in Jerusalem, unsuspected by vants, that none of them were affected with his Absalom, the two young men waited near Enro-misfortunes, nor disposed to inform him of David's gel, without the city, to convey proper informa-treasonable plots, Doeg related what he had wittion to the king. Informed from Hushai, by nessed at Nob. Ahimelech, and 84 other priests, means of a maid, what had passed in Absalom's were immediately ordered to appear before Saul. privy council, they posted off to inform David. He rudely demanded of them, why they had conInformed hereof, by a young man who had seenspired with David against him, and had given him them, Absalom detached a party to pursue and provision and arms, and had enquired of the Lord apprehend them. To avoid these pursuers, Ahi- in his favour. Ahimelech meekly replied, that maaz and Jonathan retired to a friend's house in he always took David, the king's son-in-law, to Banurim. The man had a deep well in his court:be one of his best friends; that he had all along thither they went down; while the mistress prayed for him, and knew nothing of any rupture spread a cover on the well's mouth, and laid between them. Regardless of this sufficient vinground corn thereon. Her work was scarce finish-dication, Saul sentenced Ahimelech and all his ed when the pursuers came up in quest of them.relations to death. He ordered his guards imThe mistress affirmed they were gone. The pur-mediately to butcher the 85 priests that were presuers not finding them, returned to Jerusalem.sent. They declined the horrid and murderous The young priests then finished their course to task; but Doeg, on a call, slew them to a man. King David, and informed him of the counsel of A party was immediately sent, probably under the rebels, and that Hushai advised him to pass the direction of Doeg, to murder every man, wothe Jordan with the utmost expedition, that helman, child, and the very cattle of Nob, the city might be out of their reach. of the priests. These infernal orders were so

Not long after, Absalom's troops were entirely punctually executed, that none but Abiathar, routed. Ahimaaz's importunity prevailed with Ahimelech's son, who fled to DAVID, escaped. Joab, to allow him to run with the tidings to Da- This happened about A. M. 2944, and was part vid. Running by the way of the plain, he came of the terrible vengeance that pursued the family up before Cushi, whom Joab had sent off before of Eli, for his indulging his sons in their profanehim. When the sentinel of Mahanaim warnedness, 1 Sam. xxi. xxii. ii. 27.-36. David of the approach of a single runner, the AHIMELECH OF ABIMELECH, the son of Abiaking immediately concluded that he brought ti-thar. He and Zadok, whom Saul had made dings; for if the army had been broken, the peo-high-priest after the murder of the former Ahimeple would have come flying in crowds. When lech, were second priests or sagans, about the Cushi had come within sight, and Ahimaaz was latter end of the reign of King David. Before discerned who he was, David suggested, that him and many other persons of note, Shemaiah as he was a good man, he hoped he brought agree the scribe wrote down the orders and divisions of able tidings. Ahimaaz came up, and informed the priests, singers, and Levites, as they cast their the king that all was well; and falling down at lots for their turns of service in the temple of his feet, blessed the Lord who had cut off his ene-God, 1 Chron. xxiv. 3. 6. 31. xviii. 16. 2 Sam. mies. David asked if Absalom was safe. Ahi-viii. 17.

maaz prudently, if truly, replied, that just be- AHITHOPHEL, a native of Giloh in the tribe fore he and Cushi were sent off, he saw a great of Judah. He was so renowned a statesman and tumult, but knew not what it meant. He stood counsellor, that his advice was ordinarily received by till Cushi came up, and plainly informed theas an oracle of God. Disgusted with David, for King of Absalom's death. Some years after, Ahi-his defilement of Bathsheba, who is said to have maaz succeeded his father in the high-priesthood, been his grand-child, or rather for some other reaand was succeeded by his son Azariah, 2 Sam.son unknown to us, he, to the no small vexation xv. 27. 36. xvii. 15,-22. xviii. 19,-32. 1 Chron. of David, early revolted to Absalom's party. vi. 8, 9. David, by prayer, begged his God to confound AHIMELECH, the son of Abitub, great-his counsels, and advised Hushai to join Absalon

in appearance, and oppose himself to Ahithophel's reason the Lord threatens to make these very peeadvice. Ahithophel first advised Absalom public-ple their oppressors, and the means of their caply to defile ten of his father's concubines that had tivity and cruel servitude, Ezek. xxiii. been left to keep the house. This, he averred, AHUZZATH, a friend of the 2d ABIMELECH, would manifest the breach betwixt him and his who reigned at Gerar, and who with Phicol atfather to be irreconcileable, and so attach his par-tended him, when he came to establish an alliance ty more firmly to his interest. In compliance with Isaac. The Chaldaic Targum, and such with this horrid and shameful advice, Absalom, versions as follow it, render this name a company in a tent spread on the top of the house, defiled of friends, Gen. xxvi. 26. the women in sight of his followers. Next, Ahi- AI, AIATH, AIJA, HAI, a city about nine miles thophel advised that 12,000 chosen forces should north east of Jerusalem, and one eastward of Bebe given him that very night, and he would pur-thel. Near it, Abraham sometime sojourned, and sue after David, and slay him ere he recovered built an altar, Gen. xii. 8. xiii. 3. After the taking his fright; and then all his party would be scat-of Jericho, Joshua sent spies to view A1: they retered, and never more come to an head. Absa-presented it as improper to send above 3000 cholon and his princes mightily extolled this proposen men to attack so small a place, and no more sal, and indeed nothing could more effectually were sent. To punish the transgression of ACHAN, compass their ends. they were divinely permitted to suffer a repulse, But Hoshai's mind being asked, he replied, and thirty-six of them were slain. The expiation that however sensible and prudent Ahithophel's of that crime being finished in the death of its auproposal might be in itself, it was not suited to thor, Joshua, according to the direction of God, the present occasion. To persuade them of this, marched to attack that city: Two bodies, one of he displayed, in the most striking manner, what 25,000, and another of 5000, he placed in ambusmighty heroes David and his attendants were;cade: He himself, with the man army, openly that himself was too prudent to lodge all night marched towards the walls. The king of Ai, with his friends, but would be hid in some pit; proud of his late inconsiderable success, sallied that he and his party being so valiant, and be-forth against the Hebrews: they retreated, as in sides enraged and desperate, it was hard to say fight, till they had drawn the men of Ai, and whit slaughter they might make of Ahithophel's their assistants of Bethel, into the open plain. 12.000 in the night; and what terror might seize Joshua then raised his shield on the top of his Authophel himself; and so a small loss at first, spear, gave the appointed signal to the forces magnified by report, might discourage the whole that lay in ambush on the other side of the city : party, and ruin it before it was firmly established. They immediately rushed in, and set it wholly on Hanai therefore proposed, that every Hebrew fire. This done, they came up with the rear of able to bear arms should be assembled; that Ab-the Canaanites, while Joshua and his forces turnsalom himself should take the honour of command-ed on their front, and inclosing them, cut them to ing this prodigious host, and fall upon his father pieces, without suffering one to escape. The king as the dew falls on the ground, quite overwhelm was taken prisoner, and brought to Joshua. After him with numbers, and even draw the city, whi-the inhabitants of this city were utterly destroyed, ther he might flee, with ropes into the adjacent and the city burnt into ruins, himself was hanged, river. This humorous proposal, designed for and before sun-set taken down, and his corpse their ruin, so gratified the pride of Absalom and thrown into the entrance of the city, and a heap of his nobles, that they preferred it to that of Ahi-stones raised over it. The work of the day was thophel. Ahithophel, partly from a proud in-finished with the Hebrews division of their spoil. dignation that his advice was not followed, and Ai was some time after rebuilt by the Benjamites, perhaps partly from foresight, that Hushai's mea-nd long after taken by SENNACHERIB, Josh. sures effectually tended to reinstate David, sad-vii. viii. Is. x. 28. It was rebuilt after the capdled his ass, rode home to Giloh, ordered the af-tivity in Babylon, Neh. xi. 31. fairs of his family, and then hanged himself, 2 2. Ai, a city of the country of Moab, taken and pillaged by the Chaldeans, Jer. xlix. 3.

Sam. xv. 12. xvi. 20. xvii.

AHITUB, the son of Phineas, and brother of AJALON, (1.) A city of the tribe of Dan, asIchabod. His father being slain in that unhappy signed to the Levites, descended to Kohath, but engagement in which the ark of God was taken by the Amorites kept possession of it. It stood bethe Philistines, he succeeded ELi his grandfather tween Timnah and Bethshemish. It appears to in the high-priesthood, executed that office under have been taken by Uzziah, or some other potent Samuel, and was succeeded by his sons, first Ahiah, king of Judah: it was wrested from them by the and then Ahimelech, 1 Sam. iv. xiv. 3. There Philistines under Ahaz, Josh. xix. 42. xxi. 24. were besides two Ahitabs, both fathers of Zadoks, Judg. i. 35. 2 Chron. xxviii. 13. Perhaps it was and descended of ELEAZAR. But it does not ap-ere that Saul's army stopped their pursuit of the pear that the first of them could execute the office routed Philistines, 1 Sam. xiv. 31. (2.) A city of high priest, 1 Chron. vi. 8. 11. in the tribe of Benjamin, about three miles east

AHOLAH and AHOLI BAH, two feigned names, ward of Bethel. It was fortined by Rehoboam, whereby the prophet Ezekiel represents the king-2 Chron. xi. 10. (3.) A city in the tribe of Edons of Israel and Judah: the first signifying phraim, about two miles south of Shechem, and fent, denotes Samaria and the ten tribes; the se-assigned to the Kohathites, is marked by some coad signifying my tent is in her, denotes Jerus-authors: but I doubt of the existence of this place, lem and her subjects. Both are represented as of and suppose it no other than that in the tribe of Egyptian extraction, because of the Hebrews so- Dan, which might come into the hands of the Ejourning in Egypt, and as prostituting themselves phraimites; compare Joshua xxi. 24. with 1 Chron. to the Egyptians and Assyrians, imitating their vi. 69. (4.) Another in the tribe of Zebulun, idolatries, and relying on their help. For which where Elon, the judge of Israel, was buried, Judg.

xii. 12. It is not certain over which of these AJA-dish, called simply alabaster; and sometimes LONS Joshua desired the moon to hover. The ONYX. The ancients called boxes that contained first lay south-west, the second north-east, the fourth north-west of him, Josh. x. 12.

precious ointment alabaster boxes, though not made of that stone: and in relation hereto, a measure containing ten ounces of wine, and nine of oil, was called alabaster. In which of these three senses the box of ointment, wherewith Mary anointed Jesus, is called alabaster, we dare not peremptobox was an alabaster stone, Matth. xxvi. 6. 7.

To AID; to help; assist, Judg. ix. 24. To AIL; to distress; displease, Gen. xxi. 10. AIN, a city, first given to the tribe of Judah, and then disposed of to the Simeonites, Josh. xv. 32. 1 Chron. iv. 32. As AIN signifies a fountain,rily determine; though we incline to think the it is oft a part of the compounded names of places, and pronounced En.

ALARM, (1.) A broken quivering sound of the Hebrews' silver trumpets. It warned them to take their journey in the wilderness; and to attack their enemies in battle, Num. x. 5.-9. (2.) A noise or bustle, importing the near approach of danger and war, Joel ii. 1.

ALBEIT, though, Ezek. xiii. 7.

ALEMETH, or ALMON, a city pertaining to the tribe of Benjamin, and given to the priests, It stood near Anathoth, and possibly had its name from Alemeth the son of Becher, or the son of Jehoadah, Josh. xxi. 18. 1 Chron. vi. 60. vii. 3. viii.

AIR, a thin, fluid, transparent, compressible, and dilatable body, surrounding our earth to a considerable height, perhaps to the extent of 50 miles. Vulgar air consists chiefly of light and fire flowing into it from the celestial bodies, and of vapours and dry exhalations from the earth ALAS, woes me. It expresses terror, perplexand its productions. Whether the simple and elc-ity, and grief, 2 Kings vi. 5. Rev. xviii. 10. 16. mentary air would refract light without this mix-19. ture we know not. The air is fluid, allowing al passage for other bodies: hence hearing and smelling, &c. are strong or weak, as the air is gross or thin; and on the tops of high mountains, these senses are of very little use. Air has a considerable weight. At a medium it may be reckoned the thousandth part of the weight of wa-36. ter: about 2160 pound weight of it presses on ALEXANDER and Rufus, two noted Chrisevery square foot; and allowing the surface of an tians, were the sons of Simon the Cyrenian, who human body to be 15 square feet, the pressure of assisted our Saviour in bearing his cross, Mark air on it must amount to 32,400 pounds weight.xv. 21. Rom. xvi. 13. (2.) Alexander LysimachWith this pressure not perceptibly felt, till the us, the brother of the famed Philo. He was Alainternal air be exhausted, God inwraps our world barch of Alexandria, and reckoned the richest as with a swaddling band. Its elasticity, or pow-Jew of his time, and made a vast deal of valuable er of contracting itself when pressed, and expand-presents to the temple. He was cast into prison ing itself when free, is quite astonishing. The air by Caligula, probably for refusing to worship that we breathe in at a medium, is by its own weight mad monarch; and continued so till the Emperor contracted into the 13,679th part of the space it Claudius set him at liberty. He is thought to be would occupy in vacuo; and some imagine it may the Alexander who was in company with the chief be condensed or pressed together till it become priests and elders, when they imprisoned the aposheavier than gold. The air is much altered by tles for healing the impotent man, Acts iv. 6. the vapour, smoke, and other exhalations, which||(3.) Alexander the coppersmith. For a time he arise from the earth. espoused the Christian faith; but, commencing The AIR is the region where fowls do fly, and blasphemer, Paul delivered him over to Satan. the means by which animals do breathe, 2 Sam.This enraged him more and more; he did the xxi. 10. Job. xli. 16. To beat the air, or, speak apostle all the hurt that lay in his power, 1 Tim. to the air, imports, acting in the most vain and un-i. 20. 2 Tim. iv. 14, 15. It is uncertain whether profitable manner, 1 Cor. ix. 26. xiv. 9. The air it was he who ran some danger of his life, by atdarkened at the sounding of the 5th trumpet, may tempting to quell the mob which Demetrius the signify the church and scripture, which are the silversmith raised at Ephesus: nor is it so much means of conveying light and grace to men; and as certain, whether that Alexander was a Christhe scripture is the breath of God, whereby he tian, Acts xix. 33. communicates his influence to us: and both which, ALEXANDRIA, a celebrated city in Lower by the abounding of error and delusion, by the Egypt. It was situate between the lake Mareoconcealment and misinterpretation of scripture, tis, and the canopic or western branch of the Nile, under Antichrist and Mahometism, are darkened. at a small distance from the Mediterranean sea. Nor is it unworthy of notice, that just after the Alexander the Great was its founder; and a few rise of this double delusion, the natural sun was years after was there interred in a coffin of gold. darkened from June to October, 4. D. 626, that It was built in the form of a Macedonian cloak; but a small part of his light appeared, Rev. ix. 2. and took up about fifteen miles. The palace, The AIR of the Antichristian kingdom, into which which was a fifth part of the city, stood by the the seventh angel pours his vial of wrath, may sea, and contained the royal residence, the mudenote the last remains of Antichrist's power, af-seum, and sepulchres. The principal street, ter which his form and life can no longer subsist, Rev. xvi. 17.

which extended the whole length of the city, was an hundred feet wide. The Ptolemies, who sucALABASTER, a beautiful bright stone allied ceeded Alexander the Great in Egypt, made it to the marble, but more brittle: it ferments with their residence for more than 200 years; by which acids; calcines in the fire, but gives no flame with means it became the metropolis of Egypt. Its steele when finely powdered and placed on a nearness to the Red and Mediterranean seas, fire, it will appear in rolling waves, like a fluid.drew to it the trade of both the east and west, There are three kinds of it; the whitish, called and rendered it for many ages the mart of comby the ancients Lygdin marble; the yellow-merce to most of the known world, and one of whitish, called Phengites; and the yellow-red-the most flourishing cities, second to none but