O
Oak, Diviners’ See Diviners’ Tree.
Oak of Tabor A recognizable landmark in the territory of Benjamin (NIV: “great tree of Tabor”; KJV: “plain of Tabor”). It was the second of three stops that Samuel instructed Saul to make on a journey to Gilgal confirming his selection by God as king of Israel (1 Sam. 10:1–8). There, Saul met three men traveling to Bethel, confirming Samuel’s prophecy.
Oarsmen People, often slaves, who helped to navigate a ship by rowing. Ezekiel refers to oarsmen in his lament for the city of Tyre (Ezek. 27:8).
An Assyrian warship from the time of Sennacherib (700–692 BC), whose builders and oarsmen were probably Phoenician
Oaths The obligations of relationships within ancient societies and between social groups were frequently reinforced by means of oaths, and the practice of oath making (by both God and people) is witnessed to in the pages of the Bible. The name of God was frequently invoked (Judg. 8:19; 2 Kings 2:2), but oaths were not to be made using the names of foreign deities (Ps. 16:4). For this reason, when an oath was broken, God’s name was profaned (Lev. 19:12). To take an oath was to ask God to witness what was promised, and it invited him to act as avenger if the promise was broken (Gen. 31:50; 1 Sam. 12:3). This made oath taking a religious act, and so oaths often were made at sanctuaries and under the supervision of cultic officials (Num. 5:11–31; Judg. 11:11; Hos. 4:15).
The words of an oath were accompanied by various gestures, such as putting a hand “under the thigh” (near the genitals?) (Gen. 24:2; 47:29) or raising the right hand to heaven (Gen. 14:22; Deut. 32:40; Rev. 10:5–6). Daniel 12:7 depicts a particularly solemn oath, involving the raising of both hands. By invoking God’s name, an oath invited God to punish the oath breaker, as in Ruth 1:17: “May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely” (for similar wording, see 1 Sam. 3:17; 14:44; 2 Sam. 3:9). Such a self-maledictory oath may have been accompanied by the gesture of a hand at the throat, signifying the death penalty for infringement. People brought a curse upon themselves if an oath was broken (e.g., Num. 5:22), either for doing what was wrong (Num. 5:22; 1 Sam. 19:6) or for not speaking the truth (e.g., Mark 14:71). Two Hebrew words are used in respect to oaths; the stronger one can actually mean a “curse.” The more common word for swearing may relate to the number seven, due to the ceremonies that could accompany oath making. For example, Abraham set aside seven ewe lambs (Gen. 21:22–31).
In the Bible, God is portrayed as binding himself by oaths, most notably his sworn promises to Abraham (Gen. 22:16–18; 50:24). This fact is used by the author of Hebrews in an argument designed to assure readers that God meant what he said when he made promises to his people (Heb. 6:13–18). The coming of Jesus fulfilled the terms of that oath (Luke 1:73). So too the Davidic covenant was supported by a divine oath (Pss. 89:35, 49; 110:4; 132:11), and this was fulfilled by the enthronement of Christ at his resurrection and ascension (Acts 2:30–33).
Jesus’ teaching on oaths (Matt. 5:33–37) does not necessarily contradict OT legislation (cf. Lev. 19:12; Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21–23) but rather brings out the true heart of God behind the legislation. Oaths are unnecessary, Jesus said, for those who habitually tell the truth. An emphatic yes or no is all that is needed. The teaching of James 5:12 reflects what is found in Jesus’ teaching on this subject. This may not outlaw all oath taking, and certainly the apostle Paul did not understand there to be a blanket prohibition of oaths, for in his letters he is on record as making oaths (Gal. 1:20; Phil. 1:8).
Obadiah (1) The palace keeper for King Ahab of Israel. Obadiah hid one hundred prophets from persecution under Jezebel. In 1 Kings 18:1–16 he is caught in the middle of Ahab’s hunt for Elijah when the prophet asks him to summon Ahab. (2) A descendant of David (1 Chron. 3:21). (3) A son of Izrahiah, he was a clan chief of the tribe of Issachar (1 Chron. 7:3). (4) A son of Azel and a descendant of King Saul (1 Chron. 8:38; 9:44). (5) A Levite, the son of Shemaiah, he was among the first to resettle in Judah after the Babylonian exile (1 Chron. 9:16). (6) One of the military elite from the tribe of Gad who aided David at his outpost in Ziklag (1 Chron. 12:9). (7) A Zebulunite whose son, Ishmaiah, was a tribal officer under King David (1 Chron. 27:19). (8) One of the members of a commission sent by King Jehoshaphat to travel across Judah teaching the law (2 Chron. 17:7–9). (9) A Levite from the Merari family who helped supervise the rebuilding of the temple during the reign of King Josiah (2 Chron. 34:12). (10) A son of Jehiel and a descendant of Joab who journeyed from Babylon to Jerusalem with Ezra (Ezra 8:9). (11) One of the leaders who joined Nehemiah in placing his seal on the covenant of national renewal (Neh. 10:5). He may be the same person as in Ezra 8:9. (12) A gatekeeper who guarded the storerooms in the days of Joiakim the priest (Neh. 12:25). (13) The fourth of the twelve Minor Prophets (Obad. 1:1).
Obadiah, Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the OT (twenty-one verses). It is a prophecy against one of ancient Israel’s most persistent enemies, the Edomites.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The superscription (1:1a) names Obadiah as the author of the book but adds nothing more. About a dozen people have the name “Obadiah” elsewhere in the OT, but we cannot be certain that any one of them can be identified with the prophet. His name means “servant of Yahweh.”
The prophecy is totally directed toward Edom, a nation located south of Moab, in the area to the southeast of the Dead Sea. It is a region of rugged mountains and wadis, thus difficult to attack.
The Bible attributes the Edomites’ origins to Esau, Jacob’s brother, whose other name is Edom, or “Red” (see Gen. 36). Notice that by the time Jacob returned from his sojourn in Paddan Aram, Esau, having already amassed a significant fortune, was dwelling in the region of Seir (a common synonym for Edom [see Gen. 32]).
It is true that Edom, like Moab and Ammon, refused the Israelites passage during the wilderness wanderings (Num. 20:14–21), but they found another way, thus avoiding violent confrontation. Still, there were subsequent battles between Edom and Israel. Later, for instance, David is described as having taken Edom as a vassal (2 Sam. 8:14). Jehoshaphat had control over it (1 Kings 22:47). An Edomite monarchy came about during the time of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20), at which time Edom rebelled against Judah and won its independence. Elath, an important seaport, was taken by the Edomites during the reign of Ahaz.
At the time of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, Edom had taken advantage of the situation in some way. While not precisely described, this point can be established by reference to texts such as Ps. 137:7; Lam. 4:22; Ezek. 35:15.
The issue, then, is at what point in this long history the book of Obadiah is to be placed. One option is the mid-ninth century BC during the time of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20–22; 2 Chron. 21:8–10). A much better setting for the book, however, is found in the early exilic period, described in the previous paragraph, thus dating the book to the sixth century BC.
The rugged mountainous region of Edom. Obadiah prophesied against the Edomites.
LITERARY CONSIDERATIONS
The superscription refers to the book of Obadiah as a “vision.” It is a prophetic vision of the destruction of Edom for its sins against the people of God. It also presents a prophecy of encouragement to beleaguered Israel.
Obadiah may also be described as a prophetic oracle, specifically an oracle against a foreign nation. Such oracles are found in larger prophetic books as part of their overall collection (Isa. 13–23; Jer. 46–51; Ezek. 25–32; 35; Amos 1–2). Indeed, oracles against Edom are found in Isa. 34:5–15; Jer. 49:7–22; Ezek. 25:12–14; 35; Amos 1:11–12; Mal. 1:2–5. An especially close relationship exists between the Jeremiah passage and Obadiah, though the question of dependence of one on the other is debated and cannot be resolved with certainty.
OUTLINE
I. Judgment on Edom (vv. 1–16)
II. Salvation of Israel (vv. 17–21)
THEOLOGICAL MESSAGE
The book of Obadiah is a prophecy against Israel’s enemy Edom. Many other oracles against Edom occur in the OT, but Obadiah is the only case where an entire book is dedicated to this purpose. Conflict between Edom and Israel goes back all the way to the patriarchal period, when their respective ancestors, the brothers Esau and Jacob, experienced conflict.
But ultimately, Obadiah is more than a book that is against Edom. The book proclaims that God is over all the nations, and though the enemies of God’s people may have momentary moments of glory, ultimately they will give way to those whom God has chosen. Indeed, the book ends with the triumphant statement “And the kingdom will be the LORD’s” (v. 21).
NEW TESTAMENT CONNECTIONS
The ancient rivalry between Jacob and Esau, Israel and Edom, has echoes in the NT. We see it when Herod the Great, an Idumean and a descendant of Edom, tries to kill the child Jesus, who represents everything that Israel was meant to be (Matt. 2:16).
Obadiah also provides a picture of the ultimate downfall of an oppressor of God’s people. It is a lesson that those who try to take advantage of God’s people may win the battle but will not win the war. Christians who read this are reminded of the book of Revelation, which functions similarly, informing God’s people that while sometimes it appears that evil has the upper hand, Christ’s return is certain and will result in the ultimate victory of righteousness.
Obal One of the sons of Joktan, a descendant of Shem the son of Noah (Gen. 10:28). The name appears as “Ebal” in 1 Chron. 1:22 (see NIV mg.).
Obed (1) The son of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:13–17), grandfather of King David, and ancestor of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:5; Luke 3:32). (2) The son of Ephlal and the father of Jehu, he was a descendant of Judah through Perez (1 Chron. 2:37–38). (3) One of King David’s mighty warriors (1 Chron. 11:47). (4) One of the Korahite gatekeepers in King Solomon’s temple (1 Chron. 26:7). (5) The father of one of the military commanders of Jehoiada the priest (2 Chron. 23:1).
Obed-Edom (1) “Obed-Edom the Gittite,” in whose house David deposited the ark for three months after the death of Uzzah caused David to fear bringing it to Jerusalem. The blessing of Obed-Edom’s household prompted David to reconsider (2 Sam. 6:10–12; 1 Chron. 13:13–14; 15:25). Some scholars suggest that he was one of the many Philistines in David’s service (the Gittites in 2 Sam. 15:18–19 certainly are foreigners). “Gittite” is, however, a term for anyone from a village called Gath, and the hometown of Obed-Edom may not be Gath in Philistia (e.g., Gath Rimmon [Josh. 21:24–25]).
Neither 2 Sam. 6 nor 1 Chron. 13 says anything about him being a Levite, but he is assigned a Levitical pedigree elsewhere and designated a gatekeeper/doorkeeper (1 Chron. 15:18, 24; 16:38; 26:15) or a singer/harpist (1 Chron. 15:21; 16:5). Under the Levitical division of the gatekeepers, Obed-Edom is listed as having eight sons, “for God had blessed Obed-Edom” (1 Chron. 26:4–5), with divine blessing manifested in numerous progeny. This is a clear allusion to God’s blessing of Obed-Edom’s household for giving the ark a temporary home (1 Chron. 13:14).
(2) The official in charge of the temple vessels in the reign of Amaziah (2 Chron. 25:24).
Obedience A central concept in both Testaments for understanding the way in which God’s people are to respond to him. God desires obedience from his people, in contrast to mere lip service (Isa. 29:13; Matt. 15:8; Mark 7:6) or conformity to religious ritual (Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:6–8). When Saul disobeyed God by sacrificing some of the spoil from his victory over the Amalekites, Samuel the prophet responded, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).
In the OT, obedience is often expressed in terms of keeping (Heb. shamar [e.g., Exod. 34:11]) or doing (Heb. ’asah [e.g., Lev. 18:4]) God’s commands; other times, obedience is expressed as listening (Heb. shama’) to the voice of God (Exod. 19:5 KJV, NASB), just as a student is obedient by listening to a teacher’s voice (Prov. 5:13 KJV, NASB). When God established the Mosaic covenant with the Israelites, he commanded that they obey the laws set forth in the covenant. If they faithfully obeyed his laws, God would bless them (Deut. 28:1–13); if they were not faithful, he would curse them (Deut. 28:15–68). The subsequent history of Israel sadly chronicles the disobedience of God’s chosen people and the ensuing destruction that they experienced (2 Kings 18:9–12; 2 Chron. 36:11–21), even though God repeatedly warned the people through his prophets that this destruction was coming if they did not turn from their wickedness (e.g., Isa. 1:19–20; Jer. 11:1–8).
In the NT, focus shifts from obedience to the Mosaic law to obedience to Jesus Christ. The Great Commission contains Jesus’ instructions for his own disciples to make disciples, teaching them to “obey” (Gk. tēreō) that which Christ had commanded (Matt. 28:19–20). Jesus’ disciples’ love for him would lead them to obey his commands (John 14:15, 21–24; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 6), and the disciples’ obedience, in turn, would cause them to remain in Jesus’ love (John 15:10). Paul instructs children to obey their parents and slaves to “obey” (Gk. hypakouō) their masters in obedience to Christ (Eph. 6:1, 5–6; Col. 3:20, 22).
The NT also discusses Christ’s perfect obedience to God the Father as a quality to imitate (Phil. 2:5–13) and as the basis for salvation (Rom. 5:19). Since it is only “those who obey the law who will be declared righteous” (Rom. 2:13), and all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).
Obeisance Physical movement conveying deference, such as a bow, made to someone holding a position of higher authority. In the Bible, doing obeisance involves falling down and bowing one’s face to the ground (1 Sam. 24:8; 28:14; 2 Sam. 1:2; 14:4; 1 Chron. 21:21). Such action is deemed appropriate when coming into the presence of a king or one holding royal authority (Gen. 43:28; Esther 3:2–5), and it may be performed when accepting a royal gift (2 Sam. 16:4) or acknowledging a granted request (2 Sam. 14:22). Kings may do obeisance in the presence of one of higher authority, as when Saul bows before Samuel (1 Sam. 28:14).
Obelisk A sacred or standing stone, also called a “pillar” (Heb. matsebah). These objects often are associated with cultic practice and covenant-making ceremonies. Jacob erected a pillar in commemoration of the site where God appeared to him in a theophany (Gen. 28:18–22; 35:14). When Jacob and Laban made a covenant, the pillar acted as a witness between them (Gen. 31:45–52). Likewise, when Moses descended from the mountain after the Sinai theophany, he erected twelve pillars along with an altar (Exod. 24:4–8). This is consistent with the archaeological picture from the Iron Age II period (1000–586 BC) at Arad, where a small temple was found with two pillars and incense altars.
These were also condemned objects in Israelite religion, associated with Asherah poles, images, and altars (Exod. 34:13; Lev. 26:1; Deut. 7:5; 12:3; 16:22). The erection of these by later kings is also cited as a cause of the exile, probably because some began to worship them (2 Kings 17:10).
Obesity Average ancient Israelites were not obese, due to their daily diet and hard labor. Obesity, however, was not considered a health condition. It was a status symbol, a sign of opulence and nobility. Hence, in the Bible it was also a symbol of God’s blessing of his people. The figure of fatness in Isa. 10:27, for instance, does not imply the Israelites’ self-sufficiency but rather recalls how well God has fed them (cf. Isa. 5:27). But accumulation of fat may lead to a rebellious spirit. The people of Israel “grew fat” and “abandoned the God who made them” (Deut. 32:15; cf. Job 15:27; Jer. 5:28; Pss. 73:7; 119:70). The characterization of Moabite king Eglon as a fat man foreshadows his assassination in the narrative (Judg. 3:12–30). The symbol of his wealth and power made him vulnerable to the surprise attack of a left-handed assassin.
Obil An Ishmaelite in charge of David’s camels (1 Chron. 27:30).
Oblation One KJV rendering (approximately thirty times) of the Hebrew word qorban, a very general and somewhat vague term for “offering” (which is another translation the KJV uses for qorban). In a few cases the KJV uses the term “oblation” to translate another Hebrew word that is usually translated in other versions as a “grain offering” (minkhah).
Oblivion, Land of The grave or place of the afterlife. Nearing death, the psalmist asks whether God can be praised by the dead, and if God’s wonders and deliverance can be known in the grave (Ps. 88:10–12).
Oboth A site on the Israelites’ journey toward Canaan, one of their last stops before reaching the Zered Valley on the border with Moab. Situated between Punon and Iye Abarim in the Transjordan (Num. 21:10–11; 33:43–44), its location has been lost.
Obscene Object A specific contemporary translation (MSG) of two Hebrew terms (tame’ and sheqets) otherwise rendered “unclean detestable thing” or something similar (e.g., tame’ in Lev. 7:21 [NIV: “any unclean creature that moves along the ground”]; sheqets in Isa. 66:17). In this instance, it refers to unclean or nonkosher creatures that swim, fly, or swarm according to the descriptions in Lev. 11:10–23. More broadly, obscene objects may be understood to be things that are abominable before God, including idols in general (Deut. 29:17; 32:16; 2 Kings 23:13, 24; Ezra 9:1; Isa. 57:8, 10; Jer. 7:30; 16:18; 32:34; Dan. 11:31; 12:11), Asherah poles (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Kings 23:6; 2 Chron. 15:16), and pillars of Baal (2 Kings 3:2).
Observer of Times In Deut. 18:10, 14 the KJV translates the Hebrew word me’onen as “observer of times,” referring to a soothsayer (NRSV) or one who practices sorcery (NIV).
Occupations and Professions An occupation or profession is the usual work or business in which a person engages for the sake of earning a living. In biblical times, family or social standing most often determined occupation. This was particularly true for occupations tied to land, such as planting crops and raising animals, since land in ancient Israel was passed down within the tribe, normally from fathers to sons (Josh. 14:9; Ezek. 46:18). Sometimes daughters also received a share in the family inheritance (Josh. 17:6). Most people gained their livelihood from their family’s land, and those who did not have land hired themselves out to work for wages (Deut. 24:14). A son normally learned his trade from his father (Gen. 47:3; 2 Kings 4:18; Matt. 4:21) and continued in that occupation unless called into God’s service (1 Kings 19:19–21; Jer. 1:5; Matt. 4:22).
Cicero, writing around the time of the NT, considered occupations such as tax collector, laborer, and fisherman to be vulgar. Conversely, professions such as teacher, doctor, and wholesale trader were more honorable, with landowner being the most respectable and profitable profession (Off. 1.42).
AGRICULTURE AND FARMING
Farming is the earliest recorded occupation in the Bible, as the first man was called to work and keep the garden (Gen. 2:15). Even after the exile from Eden because of sin, Adam worked the ground for food, as did Cain, his firstborn son (Gen. 3:17–18; 4:2). The opening chapters of the Bible establish a fundamental link between “man” (’adam) and the “ground” (’adamah). After the flood, Noah established himself as a “man of the soil” (’ish ha’adamah) by planting a vineyard (Gen. 9:20). King Uzziah “loved the soil” (’oheb ’adamah) and so employed people to work in his fields and vineyards (2 Chron. 26:10).
God demonstrated his covenant commitment to Isaac by blessing him with an incredible harvest (Gen. 26:12), and he promised to prosper Israel’s farms if the people obeyed him (Deut. 28:4) and to curse the fruit of their ground if they disobeyed (Deut. 28:18). The OT ideal was for everyone to live “under their own vine and under their own fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25; Mic. 4:4). According to Prov. 28:19, the diligent farmer would have abundant food.
Jesus’ parables frequently employed agricultural imagery that would have been readily understandable in first-century Palestine, where many people were farmers (cf. Mark 4:1–9; 12:1–11) and some owned land (Acts 4:34). The people living around Jerusalem at this time engaged in agriculture, soil cultivation, and cattle raising (Let. Aris. 107–112).
HERDING AND HUNTING
Herding animals is the second-oldest occupation recorded in Scripture (after farming), and raising flocks and herds continued to be one of the most common and important professions throughout biblical times. Abel is the first “keeper of sheep” in the Bible (Gen. 4:2 NRSV). Several generations later, Jabal pioneered the nomadic herding lifestyle (Gen. 4:20). The patriarchs were shepherds (Gen. 47:3), as were Moses (Exod. 3:1), David (1 Sam. 17:34), and many others in the OT. Josephus acknowledged that “feeding of sheep was the employment of our forefathers in the most ancient ages” (Ag. Ap. 1.91). While men typically worked as shepherds and herdsmen, the occupation was also open to women, such as Rachel, whose fathers owned sheep (Gen. 29:9). Shepherds were present at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8–20), and Jesus’ teaching suggests that shepherding was a common occupation in Palestine (cf. Matt. 18:12; John 10:1–30).
Many people in biblical times hunted, either for food, sport, or protection. The first recorded hunter is Nimrod, “a mighty hunter before the LORD” (Gen. 10:9). Ishmael was “an expert with the bow” (Gen. 21:20 NRSV), while Esau was “a skillful hunter, a man of the open country” who brought back wild game for food (25:27–28). The name of Pokereth-Hazzebaim, included in the genealogy of Solomon’s servants in Ezra 2:57, reflects his occupation as a “gazelle catcher” (cf. 1 Kings 4:23).
Hunting scene from Khorsabad (710–705 BC)
BUILDERS AND CRAFTSMEN
Cain was the first person in the Bible to build a city (Gen. 4:17), and his descendant Tubal-Cain was the first metalworker (4:22). Nimrod built a number of cities (10:11–12), and the beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom was Babel (10:10), where the people gathered together to build a city with brick (11:3). Builders in Mesopotamia used baked brick and asphalt, while Israelite builders usually preferred the more readily available stone and mortar. After Joseph’s death, Israel was conscripted into forced labor in Egypt, which involved building cities of brick and mortar (Exod. 1:11).
The role of craftsmen in the construction of the tabernacle was particularly significant. Bezalel and Oholiab were “skilled workers and designers” empowered by God for work on the tabernacle (Exod. 35:35). They engaged in “all kinds of crafts,” including artistic metalworking, masonry, carpentry, and weaving (Exod. 31:4–5; 38:23).
Kings in Israel often commissioned important building projects (1 Kings 12:25; 15:22; 16:24; 2 Chron. 26:9; Josephus, J.W. 1.401–2). Carpenters and stonemasons worked on David’s palace (2 Sam. 5:11). Solomon conscripted laborers to build the temple and also employed carriers, stonecutters, craftsmen, and foremen to supervise the work (1 Kings 5:13–18). After the Babylonian exile, many Israelites were involved in rebuilding the temple and the wall of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed (Ezra 3:8; Neh. 4:16–18). These projects, directed by Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, utilized masons, carpenters, and other workers (Ezra 3:7).
Jesus is referred to as a tektōn (Mark 6:3) and as the son of a tektōn (Matt. 13:55), with tektōn usually translated “carpenter” by English versions. However, recent scholarship has demonstrated that Jesus was likely a builder, not a carpenter in the modern sense of the term. In the LXX, the word tektōn typically translates a Hebrew word, kharash, used broadly to refer to craftsmen working with stone, wood, or metal.
MUSICIANS
The first musician recorded in Scripture is Jubal, “the father of all who play the stringed instruments and pipes” (Gen. 4:21). Musicians performed a variety of roles in ancient society, as they do today. Singers and instrumentalists were employed to celebrate festive occasions, often to provide accompaniment for dancing (Gen. 31:27; Luke 15:25), to soothe the sick or distressed (1 Sam. 16:16), and to express lamentation (Job 30:31).
Musicians played an important role in leading God’s people in worship. The “director of music” is mentioned in the headings of fifty-five psalms and Hab. 3:19. The most famous musician in Scripture is David, “the singer of Israel’s psalms” (2 Sam. 23:1 GW), who played the harp (1 Sam. 16:18) and wrote or inspired at least seventy-three canonical psalms. Solomon was also a notable songwriter and lover of music (1 Kings 4:32). David appointed many Levites as singers and musicians to lead Israel in worship (1 Chron. 15:16; 23:5). The musicians played lyres, harps, cymbals, and trumpets (2 Chron. 5:12).
GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, AND MILITARY
Before the monarchy, there were no formal government offices. Under Moses, a group of seventy elders in Israel served as leaders and officials, and these men were to carry out Moses’ decrees and judge the people on most matters (Exod. 18:20–22; Num. 11:16). After Joshua’s death, God raised up judges to rescue Israel from foreign enemies and lead the people (Judg. 2:16) until the time of Samuel, when Saul was made king (1 Sam. 11:15).
Kings in Israel employed various officials. In 2 Sam. 8:16–18, Joab is listed first among David’s officials, which suggests that the military commander was second in authority after the king. Under Solomon, the leader of the army is called “commander in chief” (1 Kings 4:4). The royal cabinet included a number of key advisers, including the recorder, the secretary, and the “confidant” of the king (cf. 2 Sam. 16:16). The OT does not specify the precise roles of these officials. The recorder was among the highest governmental positions and served as a royal counselor. In Hebrew, mazkir (“recorder”) is a cognate noun to the verb zkr (“to remember”), which suggests that this official may have managed and preserved public records (2 Kings 18:18; Isa. 36:22). The main task of the king’s secretary or scribe (sop̱er) was to write down (sapar) official state documents (2 Sam. 8:17), and he advised the king and also provided financial oversight (2 Kings 12:10). Recorders and secretaries apparently were well educated and multilingual, as was the palace administrator (2 Kings 18:18, 26). Solomon’s officials included supervisors of the palace and the forced labor, as well as governors who supplied provisions for the king’s household (1 Kings 4:6–7). The OT mentions cupbearers in Israel’s government and in other administrations (Gen. 40:1; 1 Kings 10:5; Neh. 1:11). The cupbearer served as the royal wine taster; he protected the king from being poisoned and had direct access to the monarch.
In the Roman Empire, the emperor was absolute ruler (1 Pet. 2:17), with the senate next in authority. Proconsuls held judicial and military authority over larger provinces (Acts 18:12), prefects (governors) administered smaller provinces (Matt. 27:2), with tetrarchs over one-fourth of a province (Luke 3:1).
Christians in NT times engaged in civil service. Erastus was a financial officer in Corinth (Rom. 16:23), and he may be the same Erastus commemorated in an inscription from this period who held the office of aedile. The proconsul Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7); Manaen, a close friend of Herod Antipas (Acts 13:1); and members of Caesar’s household (Phil. 4:22) were also Christian public leaders.
TRADE AND ECONOMICS
From earliest times, people have exchanged goods and property. When Abraham purchased Ephron’s field, his silver was measured “according to the weight current among the merchants” (Gen. 23:16), which suggests that a recognized system of public trading was in place during the time of the patriarchs. Traders of commodities such as spices traveled along caravan routes between southern Arabia and Egypt, and these traders often acquired slaves along the way (Gen. 37:28). Solomon employed royal merchants to buy and sell goods (1 Kings 10:28).
In the first century, Jews were engaged broadly in economic life as landowners, artisans, merchants, traders, bankers, and slaves. Several of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen (Matt. 4:18). Luke was a physician, a well-educated and respectable professional (Col. 4:14). Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth (Acts 16:14). Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla worked as tentmakers (Acts 18:3). In the Roman Empire, commerce and pagan religion often intermingled. Merchants often formed trade guilds, where membership sometimes required religious and moral compromise. In Ephesus, silversmiths and craftsmen in related trades turned significant profit through their connections with the local Artemis cult (Acts 19:24–27).
Jesus frequently spent time with tax collectors, such as Levi (also called “Matthew”) (Matt. 9:9; Mark 2:14). Tax collectors were a despised group because often they became wealthy by taking advantage of the Roman taxation system, which allowed them to charge commission on taxes collected (Luke 19:2, 8). Jesus’ parable of the talents references bankers who offered interest on deposits collected (Matt. 25:27), and Rev. 3:17–18 alludes to the fact that Laodicea was a financial center with a significant banking system.
SERVANTS AND SLAVES
In the OT, ’ebed most often designates a slave or servant, whose occupation involves work (’abad ) as a subordinate. Some servants held very important positions in their master’s household (Gen. 24:2), while many others toiled in hard labor (Job 7:2). Israelites were not to enslave their kinfolk, but they could take slaves from other nations. Fellow Israelites who became poor could serve as hired workers, but they were to be released along with their children at the Jubilee because God had brought Israel out from Egyptian slavery and they belonged to God as his servants (Lev. 25:39–46).
Slaves in the Roman world were property like goods or cattle, possessed by another (Dio Chrysostom, 2 Serv. lib. 24). Unlike modern slavery practices, race played no factor in the Roman institution of slavery. Slaves were kidnapped and sold in NT times (1 Tim. 1:10; Rev. 18:13), but the majority of slaves were so by birth. The most prominent slave in the NT is Onesimus, for whom Paul intercedes with his master, Philemon (Philem. 10, 16). Believing slaves were to obey their earthly masters “as slaves of Christ” (Eph. 6:5–6), but the NT stressed the equality of slave and free in Christ (Gal. 3:28). Paul called himself a “servant [doulos] of Christ Jesus” (Rom. 1:1).
RELIGIOUS SERVICE
Most Israelites engaged in professional religious service were Levites (Num. 3:12), including Moses, Aaron, and the priests in Aaron’s line (Exod. 6:19–20; 35:19). The priests offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people (Heb. 5:1). Under the priests’ direction, the Levites were charged with caring for the tabernacle and its furnishings (Num. 1:49; 1 Chron. 23:32) and carrying the ark of the covenant (1 Chron. 15:2). They were set apart to serve in God’s presence (Deut. 18:7) and to lead the people in worship (2 Chron. 5:12). Further, priests often played an important advisory role to Israel’s kings (2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Kings 4:5; 2 Kings 12:2).
In Israel, people went to seers and prophets to inquire of God (1 Sam. 9:9), for they received and communicated God’s word (2 Sam. 24:11; Jer. 37:6). Sometimes individuals are mentioned as prophets, and other times the prophets are discussed as an organized group (1 Sam. 19:20; 1 Kings 22:6).
The NT references a number of ministerial offices (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:1–12). Not all ministers were paid, though teachers and preachers had a right to “receive their living from the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14–15; cf. 1 Tim. 5:17). Apostles were those sent out by Jesus as his representatives. The term apostolos refers particularly to the twelve apostles who were with Jesus during his earthly ministry and who were witnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:21–22). Paul referred to himself as an apostle (Gal. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1), and he calls Epaphroditus and others “messengers” (apostoloi) in the churches (2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 2:25). Prophets have the spiritual gift of prophecy and speak to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the church (Acts 15:32; 1 Cor. 14:3). Overseers (also called “elders” or “pastors”) are qualified leaders who teach, shepherd, and exercise authority in the church (1 Tim. 3:1; 1 Pet. 5:2). Evangelists and missionaries proclaim the gospel and aim to win converts to Christ (Acts 21:8; 2 Tim. 4:5). Those ministers who are faithful to the gospel deserve support (3 John 8).
Ocran See Okran.
Oded (1) The father of the prophet Azariah, who ministered to King Asa of Judah (2 Chron. 15:1). Oded is identified as the prophet in the Hebrew text of 2 Chron. 15:8, which apparently omitted Azariah’s name, but it is reinserted in some translations. (2) A prophet in the time of King Pekah of Israel and King Ahaz of Judah, he helped to persuade the army of Israel to return prisoners and plunder taken from Judah (2 Chron. 28:9–15).
Odor Used in the phrase “pleasing odor” (NIV: “pleasing aroma”) as an anthropomorphic way to express God’s approval of a sacrifice (e.g., Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; Num. 15:3, 7, 10).
Offal The waste remains of an animal butchered for sacrificial offering (Exod. 29:14; Lev. 4:11; 8:17; 16:27; Num. 19:5; Mal. 2:3). Specifically in view are the stomach and/or intestinal contents. Thus, in some versions the underlying Hebrew word, peresh, is translated as “dung.”
Offense Either a sin or wrongdoing (often in the NIV) or a cause of stumbling (usually in other versions). In the first category, sometimes “offense” and “sin” translate similar Hebrew words (Job 10:14; 13:23; Ps. 59:3). Those who break the law commit an offense (Deut. 19:15; 21:22; Acts 25:8), but the term can have a more relational sense (1 Sam. 25:28; Prov. 17:9; 19:11). In the second category are those offenses that “trip people up” by offending them; such offenses are often not intrinsically wrong. Thus, Jesus and his teaching were an offense (e.g., Matt. 13:57; 1 Pet. 2:8), and Christians can offend weaker brothers and sisters by engaging in activities that are allowed within Christian liberty (Rom. 14:20; 1 Cor. 10:32).
Offerings See Sacrifice and Offering.
Offices in the New Testament These church offices are God-given positions of leadership within the early church designed to give it structure and direction. Some of these positions have ongoing application for today; others are important primarily for understanding the historical development of the church.
A definite structure for church leadership is God’s idea. Even though the equality of all believers is a biblical principle (the priesthood of all believers in 1 Pet. 2:5, 9), God has also chosen to give certain spiritual gifts of leadership (Rom. 12:8) or administration (1 Cor. 12:28) to a limited number within the church, not universally to everyone. Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions in 1 Cor. 12:29, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?” where the expected answer in each case clearly is “No, not everyone has every gift.” Believers are also specifically instructed to “obey your leaders and submit to them” (Heb. 13:17 ESV, NRSV, NASB) and to respect those “who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you” (1 Thess. 5:12). God’s plan is clearly that there be specific leaders. At the same time, the NT does not always answer all our questions or spell out every detail in this area of church leadership. The more significant offices in the NT church include the following:
Apostle. Apostles formed the earliest and most important leadership structure. Jesus, early in his ministry, “called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles” (Luke 6:13). The word “disciple” (mathētēs) means “student” or “learner” and indicates the role of these original twelve during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, these same individuals (now minus Judas Iscariot) were typically called “apostles” (apostolos [lit., “sent-out one”), who were then entrusted with Christ’s power and authority as his official representatives. Paul describes the foundational role of this office in Eph. 2:20. Their power and authority were without parallel in the historical development of the church. Some other observations round out our understanding of this office. First, there are occasional (but limited) references to broader circles of apostles in the sense of other people being “sent out” by God for specific ministry. Thus, Barnabas is apparently described as an apostle alongside Paul (Acts 14:14), and James the brother of Jesus is described as an apostle (Gal. 1:19). However, Acts 1:21–22 spells out the usual qualifications for an apostle: “men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us.” Thus, the apostleship, especially understood in the strict sense, is limited to original eyewitnesses from among the first generation of believers, and this office has not continued.
Prophet. The office of prophet (prophētēs) is another foundational one at the time of the establishment of the church (Eph. 2:20). Agabus is described as a prophet (Acts 21:10), and Paul assumes that there were prophets in the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 12:29). Although this is a controversial topic, many believe that this office no longer continues today.
Elder/presbyter. The office of elder or presbyter (presbyteros) is one of the most common in the church. This office is based on the model of elders in the Jewish synagogue. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church as early as their first missionary journey (Acts 14:23). James instructs the sick to call on the elders of the church to pray over them (James 5:14). The best job description for elders is 1 Tim. 5:17, where there are two major emphases: first, directing the affairs of the church, and second, preaching and teaching. Elders apparently always functioned in a plurality in Scripture, never as solo leaders.
Overseer/bishop. The office of overseer or bishop (episkopos) is mentioned in Phil. 1:1 as well as in 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7 in the lists of qualifications. Although by the second or third century the office of overseer/bishop had evolved into a singular office of one overseer presiding over a number of elders, this was not true in the NT, where these two titles apparently were different names for the same office. Several passages indicate this relationship. In Acts 20:17 Paul calls specifically for the “elders” of the church, yet in Acts 20:28 he refers to them as “overseers.” In similar fashion, in Titus 1:5–9 Paul tells Titus to “appoint elders in every town” but then apparently goes on to speak of them as “overseers.” Peter does the same thing in 1 Pet. 5:1–2, where he describes them first as “elders” and then as “overseers.” The key to understanding this relationship is to see that the term “elder” comes from their Jewish heritage and reflects the qualifications for this office (someone who is older and more mature), whereas the term “overseer” comes from a Greek background and refers more to their job description (they are to oversee and take responsibility for leadership).
Deacon. Deacons provide practical, hands-on ministry in the local church. Interestingly, the classic passage on this office, Acts 6:1–6, never uses the actual noun “deacon” (diakonos). Instead, other forms of this word are used: “to wait on tables” (diakoneō [v. 2]) and “the ministry [lit., ‘service’] of the word” (diakonia [v. 4]). This word group is used frequently to refer to nonreligious service, such as Martha’s meal preparation (Luke 10:40) or in reference to a servant or attendant in one of Jesus’ parables (e.g., Matt. 22:13). Originally, the term “deacon” simply meant “servant.” In the development of the NT church, it gradually became a technical term used to refer to a specific office, such as in Paul’s greeting in Phil. 1:1 and in the list of qualifications in 1 Tim. 3:8–13. The standard understanding of the deacons in the NT church structure is that they assisted the elders/overseers in practical ways (probably on the model of the seven men in Acts 6).
Pastor. Pastors, surprisingly, show up only a single time in most English translations, in Eph. 4:11, where Paul describes how Christ “gave . . . pastors and teachers.” “Pastor” (poimēn) means “shepherd,” and although the noun appears in this sense of a church leader only here, the verb “to shepherd” (poimainō) occurs also in Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2. This shepherding role is associated with the elders/overseers. We see this in Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, where he calls them “elders” (v. 17) and “overseers” (v. 28) and tells them how they are to “be shepherds of the church of God” (v. 28). Peter does the same thing in 1 Pet. 5:1–2, where he calls them “elders” (v. 1) and then calls them “overseers” and tells them to “be shepherds of God’s flock” (v. 2).
Teacher. Teachers are mentioned among those with various spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. 12:28–29 and are connected with pastors in Eph. 4:11, apparently as a single combined office.
Evangelist. Evangelists are mentioned in the list of specially gifted individuals in Eph. 4:11, in relationship to Philip the evangelist in Acts 21:8, and as part of the job description for Timothy in 2 Tim. 4:5 (“do the work of an evangelist”).
Offscouring In Lam. 3:45 the KJV translates the Hebrew word sekhi as “offscouring,” referring to the survivors of the destruction of Jerusalem. More-recent versions translate the term with similar words, such as “scum” (NIV) and “filth” (NRSV). In 1 Cor. 4:13 the KJV uses “offscouring” again to translate the Greek word peripsēma (NIV: “garbage”; NRSV: “dregs”), which Paul uses to describe how the world views Christians.
Og An Amorite king of Bashan, an area northeast of the Sea of Galilee (Deut. 4:47). Og was one of the last of the Rephaites, a gigantic people (Deut. 3:11; 4:47). As the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land, Og attacked them at Edrei, but the Israelites defeated him and seized his land (Num. 21:33–35), which ultimately was allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Deut. 3:13). Israel’s defeats of Og and the neighboring Amorite king Sihon were cited as evidences of God’s faithfulness (Neh. 9:22; Ps. 136:19–20).
Ohad One of Simeon’s sons and Jacob’s grandsons who went into Egypt to live with Joseph (Gen. 46:10). He became the ancestor of a clan with his name (Exod. 6:15).
Ohel A distant descendant of David and a son or close descendant of Zerubbabel (1 Chron. 3:20).
Oholah and Oholibah Names that Ezekiel assigns to the northern kingdom of Israel (Oholah) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Oholibah) in his graphically sexual extended allegory about their unfaithfulness to God (Ezek. 23). The meanings of the names are related to the Hebrew word for “tent” (ʾohel ), but their precise import is unclear (“Ohalah” means “her tent,” and “Oholibah” means “my tent is in her,” referring to Jerusalem as the location of the temple). The metaphor involves two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, who are married to Yahweh. But the sisters are repeatedly unfaithful, going after other gods and making political alliances. Oholah’s lover was Assyria, by whom she was condemned to defeat and exile.
Oholiab The son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, he was a craftsman extraordinaire. He is called an “engraver” who might work on wood or stone, a “designer,” and an “embroiderer” (Exod. 38:23). He was appointed by Moses to work with Bezalel in construction of the tabernacle (35:30–34).
Oholibah See Oholah and Oholibah.
Oholibamah (1) A wife of Esau. She was the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite (Gen. 36:2). She bore Esau three sons (36:5). (2) One of the chiefs of the Edomites (Gen. 36:41; 1 Chron. 1:52).
Oil Almost all the oil to which the Bible refers is olive oil. Oil was used primarily for cooking, but also for medicinal purposes, cosmetics, lighting, and religious ceremonies.
Olive oil was produced in several different ways, but there were some common characteristics of all the different production methods. Olive trees were numerous in Israel and often were cultivated and planted in groves. The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem was so named because of the large olive groves there (2 Sam. 15:30). Olives were harvested sometime in the fall by handpicking them or hitting the tree to make the olives fall (Deut. 24:20). Next, the olives were partially crushed so that the kernels (pits) could be removed without crushing them. Crushing the kernel would result in ruining the oil. Then the pits were removed by hand, and the pitted olives were crushed to procure the oil. The olives could be crushed by foot (Mic. 6:15 NRSV), by beating them with a heavy stick, or by placing them in a shallow stone trench and rolling a stone wheel over them. Finally, the crushed olives were placed in a woven sieve to allow the oil to drain out. The remains of the olives were then soaked in water and pressed at least twice more. This produced more oil, though of much lower quality. As a result, oil was sold according to its quality level. By the time of the monarchy in Israel, there were several large mills that produced large quantities of oil both for use in the country and for export. The finest quality oil—the clear, pure oil drained off before pressing—was specially processed and suitable for ceremonial use.
Oil beam-press at Hazor
Oil was one of the major export products of Palestine, with huge economic impact on Israel and Judah. Oil often was used as currency for other needed materials (Deut. 7:13; Neh. 5:11; Luke 16:6). For example, Elisha preformed a miracle with oil to help a widow pay her debts (2 Kings 4:7). Oil was kept as part of the royal stores (2 Kings 20:13; 2 Chron. 32:28). There are dozens of ostraca that detail the trading, bartering, and selling of oil.
Oil was one of the main ingredients for cooking. A typical meal consisted of flour pressed together with oil and fried with oil on a griddle (1 Kings 17:12–16). This was also the typical way in which grain offerings were made at the tabernacle and temple (Lev. 2:1, 4–7). Oil was also used in lamps because it burned cleanly and produced bright light (2 Kings 4:10; Matt. 25:3–8). Lamps were used throughout the house. Small lamps, often no larger than a hand, were used to give people light when they were walking and traveling at night. In such instances, extra oil usually was carried as a reserve (Matt. 25:1–13). Both the tabernacle and the temple used olive oil to light their lamps. The finest oil was also used for sacrifices at the tabernacle (Exod. 27:20; 29:40; Lev. 24:2; Num. 28:5).
Oil was used cosmetically as well. For instance, oil was put in the hair for beauty (Eccles. 9:8). Oil was also the normal base for perfumes, mixed with a variety of spices (Esther 2:12). The tabernacle had special anointing oil that was mixed to make a perfume (Exod. 30:25). Oil was also used medicinally to help heal wounds, either by mixing it with other substances or by itself to help seal a wound (Luke 10:34). The elders of the church were commissioned to pray for and anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14).
Ointment A translation of various words in the Bible that describe the use of oil or other semisolid salves that are applied to the body and specifically not used for cooking. The NIV translators tend to prefer the words “oil,” “balm,” or “perfume” rather than “ointment,” but all these words can be used to describe the same substance.
VARIETIES AND VALUE
Almost all the ointments prepared and used in the ancient Near East had an olive oil base. Exceptions to an olive oil base include oils made from a myrrh plant, cinnamon, or aloe. Often an olive oil base, which could be used by itself, was mixed by a perfumer with other spices, herbs, aromatic or medicinal plants, and/or tree products (Exod. 30:23–25). Occasionally, animals, especially sea animals, might also be used to create ointments. The actual process followed for making ointments is not completely known, although boiling often was part of the process of scent extraction (Job 41:31). Usually the perfume or ointment was carefully stored in either alabaster or lead and placed in a cool place to preserve its aromatic and medicinal qualities. The job of perfuming was, at times, considered woman’s work, as is the case when Samuel told the Israelites not to ask for a king (1 Sam. 8:13). However, the Bible records at least one male perfumer, Hananiah, who helped Nehemiah repair part of Jerusalem’s wall (Neh. 3:8).
Ointments often were used as a trading commodity and generally were considered very valuable and a special luxury item (Song 3:6–7), the exception, perhaps, being plain olive oil. The traders who bought Joseph before taking him to Egypt were trading, among other things, ointments and perfume (Gen. 37:25). King Hezekiah included ointments in his display to the envoys from Babylon when they came to see his wealth (Isa. 39:2). The prophet Amos equated the use of oil (NIV: “lotions”) to being wealthy (Amos 6:6). Ecclesiastes 7:1 regards ointment as something to be treasured. When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with ointment, Judas Iscariot complained about the money being wasted with this action (John 12:3–6). In Mark’s Gospel a similar anointing event is recorded, with the vial of perfume valued at over three hundred denarii (Mark 14:3–5). A single denarius was roughly the equivalent of a day’s wages. Thus, the NIV translates the price as being the equivalent to a year’s pay.
USES
There were numerous uses for ointment in the ancient Near East, including medicinal, cosmetic, religious, and burial preparation.
Probably the most common use for ointment was medicinal. Medicinal ointments were used to treat many ailments, including creating a barrier to protect wounds from infection and relieving minor skin irritations (see Isa. 1:6). The prophet Jeremiah metaphorically says that there will be no healing balm of Gilead for the people of Jerusalem after God has his way with them (Jer. 8:22; 46:11). Although it has not been confirmed in ancient documents or the archaeological record, the city of Gilead apparently was noted for its industry of making healing ointments.
Another common use for ointment was cosmetic. Esther, for example, was put on a regimen of ointment treatments (oil of myrrh) for six months and then perfume treatments for another six months (Esther 2:12). Ruth used perfume or ointment to prepare herself to see Boaz (Ruth 3:3). The use of ointment was not limited to women; men used it as well. For example, after David had finished mourning for his son, he put on ointment and resumed normal life (2 Sam. 12:20). In Eccles. 9:8 the writer advises, as part of enjoying life, “Always anoint your head with oil.”
Ointments also had many different uses within the religious life of the Israelites. For example, ointments had a special role in tabernacle worship. Exodus details the instructions for making the ointment to be used in consecration ceremonies when anointing the high priests and the furniture of the tabernacle (and later the temple). This ointment included 500 shekels of myrrh, 250 shekels of cinnamon, 250 shekels of cane, 500 shekels of cassia, and a hin of olive oil (Exod. 30:22–25). A shekel equaled somewhere between nine and sixteen ounces; thus 500 shekels was approximately 500 pounds. A hin was likely the equivalent of about one liquid gallon. The exact process for mixing the ingredients together is not given, but it must have followed a fairly standard method of preparation for it not to be detailed in the text. Interestingly, the perfumer also mixed the dry incense used in the tabernacle. Furthermore, the recipes for these special ointments were set aside and prohibited for general use by the population.
Throughout the book of Leviticus, the high priest is referred to as the “anointed priest,” which denotes the fact that the sacred ointment had been put on him and consecrated him for service to God (Lev. 4:16; 6:22; 8:12). The Hebrew term meshiakh (“messiah”) also indicates someone who has been anointed. This term, generally applied to kings, was not limited to Jewish kings; for example, Cyrus, king of the Medes and Persians, was considered anointed (Isa. 45:1). Prophets too were considered anointed by God (Ps. 105:15).
Ointments were also used in the preparation of a corpse for burial. Given the humid conditions of Palestine and the lack of sophisticated embalming methods, it was necessary to add ointments to the body in preparation for burial. This was also done to honor the deceased. For example, after Jesus died, the women who first discovered his resurrection had come to anoint his body with spices and ointment (Mark 16:1).
In the NT, anointing with oil took on symbolic meaning. The oil came to represent the Holy Spirit or the presence of God. For example, in Acts 10:38 it is said that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit” (cf. 4:27). James prescribes that church elders anoint the sick with oil when praying over them (James 5:14).
Okran The father of Pagiel, who was the tribal leader of Asher during the wilderness wanderings (Num. 1:13; 2:27; 7:72, 77; 10:26). See also Pagiel.
Old Gate See Jeshanah Gate.
Old Testament The collection of Jewish writings considered to be God’s word by both Jews and Christians. This collection of Hebrew Scriptures was mostly in evidence (with the exception of Esther) by the second century BC, as seen in the Qumran scrolls. The Jewish scrolls of the Hebrew Bible differ in order from the books of the later Christian OT. The Hebrew Bible is divided into the Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), Prophets (Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings; Latter Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve Minor Prophets), and Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1–2 Chronicles). The Hebrew book order ends with a celebration in the books of Chronicles, looking back at the good and looking in hope toward the future. The Christian book order follows, though not exactly, the more chronological order of the LXX (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures).
Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament See New Testament Use of the Old Testament.
Olives, Mount of See Mount of Olives.
Olivet Discourse The Olivet Discourse is Jesus’ sermon predicting the Jewish War, the destruction of the temple, the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, and the coming of the Son of Man to judge and to save. It is found in the Synoptic Gospels (Matt. 24:1–25:46; Mark 13:1–37; Luke 21:5–36). The name derives from the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem and the temple, the place where Jesus taught his disciples this material.
All three Synoptics place the discourse following scenes of confrontation with the Jewish leadership. Matthew’s account is the most dramatic. Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees in Matt. 23, culminating with the accusation that they are responsible for “all the righteous blood that has been shed on the earth” (v. 35). He pauses to lament for Jerusalem, then declares the temple, which he calls “your” house, desolate. As he leaves, the disciples remark on the stones of the temple compound. Jesus then predicts the total destruction of the temple. This will indicate the Son of Man coming with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30) in judgment of apostate Israel.
Jesus uses apocalyptic language to describe coming events: earthquakes, famines, betrayal, signs in the sun, moon, and stars. These are all the birth pains. Christians will face persecution. They will be brought before the authorities, but they will be given what to say by the Holy Spirit. They will be put to death and hated by all nations. False prophets and false messiahs will emerge and attempt to lead the elect astray. Jesus’ repeated command is for the disciples to be alert, as no one knows the time, not even the Son. It will be possible, though, to know when the time is approaching, just as the approach of summer can be predicted by observing the fig tree.
Matthew appends three parables to the end of the discourse concerning preparedness and reward: the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats. The virgins were unprepared when the bridegroom arrived and were shut out of the banquet. The talents were entrusted to servants by a man going on a journey. When he returned, he rewarded those who had invested wisely. The last parable is an adaptation of Ezek. 34:11–31, a messianic passage where God will gather his scattered sheep. Jesus declares himself to be the one who judges between the sheep. In Ezekiel the sheep are judged for their sins: muddying the water, trampling the food, butting the weak sheep. In keeping with his extended ethical teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will judge even omissions of proper care of each other: not feeding strangers, not visiting those in prison. The message is clear: disciples must be prepared for the return of Jesus at any time, using their gifts wisely and treating the least among us with care.
Some say that Jesus is answering two questions from the disciples: “When will this (the destruction of the temple) happen?” and, a completely separate question, “What will be the sign of your (second) coming?” But Jesus is only recorded as speaking about the temple here, and following the rebuke of the Pharisees, it is clear that he speaks of judgment in connection with the Jewish leaders. Luke makes this clearer in his frank substitution: where Matthew (24:15) and Mark (13:14) record “when you see . . . the abomination of desolation,” Luke (21:20) writes, “when you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,” a clear reference to AD 70. Matthew (24:28) hints at the same idea: “Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles [perhaps from the Roman emblem] will be gathered together” (NKJV). None of the three accounts seem to contemplate answers to two separate questions.
Olympas A believer whom Paul greets at the church in Rome (Rom. 16:15). The masculine name is otherwise unknown. Related words pertain to the dwelling of the Greek gods on Olympus or to the Olympic games.
Omar A grandson of Esau through his son Eliphaz (Gen. 36:11; 1 Chron. 1:36). One of the clans of the Edomites derives its name from this Omar (Gen. 36:15).
Omega See Alpha and Omega.
Omen A sign that is read or interpreted to ascertain a divine message, usually to avert some evil or predict the future. Reading omens was a very common practice in Mesopotamia and is known in different forms. One such practice was extispicy: reading the entrails of a sacrificial animal. Other forms included astrology, the observation of freak births (teratoscopy), and observing the behavior of water when poured onto oil (lecanomancy). Ezekiel 21:21 makes note of some of these practices. Generally, the biblical authors outlaw omen reading because God used the institution of the prophet to make his purposes known (Amos 3:7). While most were outlawed, some forms do seem to be present in the Bible. Jacob used the cup for divining (Gen. 44:5) and seems to have been practicing lecanomancy. The Urim and Thummim also had a similar purpose (1 Sam. 14:41).
Ancient Mesopotamian extispicy record on a clay tablet, showing a sheep intestine anomaly (second millennium BC)
Omer A measure of dry weight mentioned only in Exod. 16. An omer was one-tenth of an ephah (see v. 36) and was the amount of manna allowed for collection per person each day, except for the Sabbath, when each person’s share was two omers.
Omnipotence An attribute of God related to his infinity, omnipotence is the attribute of having all power. This attribute is expressed every time Scripture notes God as “almighty” (Heb. shadday). In Scripture, God as omnipotent is related to God as eternal, God as the creator of all things, and God as the sustainer of all creation and life.
Nothing is beyond the power of God to act and perform, and what God does is in comformity with his own nature and will. In the NT, omnipotence is noted with the word “almighty” (pantokratōr) in 2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22. These contexts note God as sovereign and eternal, frequently noted with the Johannine expression of God as the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Rev. 1:8).
Omnipresence The English word derives from the Latin omnis (“all”) and praesens (“present”). Though not found in Scripture, the term accurately describes a divine perfection. God is always in his totality everywhere present, yet separate from his creation (Gen. 1; 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 139:7–12; Jer. 23:23–24; Heb. 4:13). This attribute is to be distinguished from pantheism, which teaches that God is everything, that is, that God and the material world are one and the same. God’s omnipresence is a great comfort for those who seek him but is disconcerting to those who may wish to avoid him (Job 34:21–22; Ps. 139:7; Amos 9:1–4; Jon. 1:3). Although at various times God chose to localize his presence for the purpose of revelation, he always remained transcendent (1 Kings 8:27). Although the lost are said to be removed from the presence of God (2 Thess. 1:9), even in the lake of fire they are in actuality separated from his mercy, grace, and forgiveness, not his essential presence (Job 26:6; Heb. 4:13; Rev. 14:10; 20:11–14).
Omniscience The English word derives from the Latin omnis (“all”) and sciens (“knowing”). Though not found in Scripture, the term accurately describes an exclusively divine attribute. God has perfect infinite knowledge of himself and everything actual and possible (1 Sam. 23:8–13; Job 37:16; Pss. 33:13–15; 139:2–6, 11–12; 147:5; Prov. 15:3; Isa. 40:14; 46:10; Dan. 2:22; Matt. 11:21–23; John 21:17; Acts 15:18; 1 Cor. 2:10–11; Heb. 4:13; 1 John 3:20). God’s omniscience is eternal, encompassing all things past, present, and future. It includes complete knowledge of all human choices, the occurrence of all events, and the outworking of all contingencies.
Omri Omri’s history is found in 1 Kings 16:16–17, 21–28. Not counting his rival Tibni (who never was king), Omri was the sixth king of Israel (r. 882–871 BC), making his son Ahab the seventh. Omri ruled for six years in Tirzah and then built the city of Samaria and moved the capital there. His kingdom was stable and prosperous. He married Ahab to Jezebel, a princess of Tyre, forging a marriage alliance with Phoenicia. Ahab in turn married his daughter to a king of Judah, cementing a long-lasting peace after years of warfare. Omri’s dynasty lasted almost fifty years, after a succession of short-lived reigns. Ahab and his progeny are called “Omrides.” Omri is mentioned on the Moabite Stone: “Omri was the king of Israel, and he oppressed Moab for many years” (line 5), and a century after his death the land of Israel was called by the Assyrians “Omri land.” Nevertheless, 1 Kings dispatches him in a mere ten verses with the claim that he did more evil than all before him. He is charged with continuing the cult of Jeroboam. But perhaps the most sinful aspect of his reign was his son’s marriage to Jezebel, a fanatical Baal worshiper. She was thus in a position to influence Israel away from exclusive worship of Yahweh. Thus, the Bible holds the Omrides chiefly responsible for state-sponsored Baal worship in Israel.
On (1) The son of Peleth from the tribe of Reuben (Num. 16:1). He was one of the Israelite leaders who rebelled against Moses and Aaron by questioning their leadership role. Numbers 16 does not mention his name again even though the other rebels are mentioned repeatedly; thus it is not clear if he was consumed by fire (as a punishment from God) along with the other leaders who rebelled. Interestingly, in the genealogy of Reuben his name does not appear (Num. 26:5–9). (2) A city in Egypt near modern-day Cairo. “On,” which is the Greek and Hebrew name of the city, more often goes by its other name, “Heliopolis.” On is mentioned in connection with Joseph’s wife, Asenath, who was the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On (Gen. 41:45; 46:20). In a lament against Egypt, Ezekiel names On as one of the cities that will be taken into captivity (Ezek. 30:17).
Onam (1) A son of Shobal and a grandson of Seir the Horite. The Horites inhabited Edom prior to the descendants of Esau (Gen. 36:23; 1 Chron. 1:40). (2) A descendant of Judah and Perez, a son of Jerahmeel, the father of Shammai and Jada (1 Chron. 2:26, 28).
Onan One of the sons of the patriarch Judah. He was obligated to father a son through his brother’s widow, Tamar, according to the custom of levirate marriage (Gen. 38:8). By practicing what appears to be a form of birth control, Onan refrained from impregnating Tamar by spilling “his semen on the ground,” and so Yahweh put him to death for his failure to fulfill his obligation to his dead brother (Gen. 38:9–10).
Onesimus A runaway slave who belonged to the apostle Paul’s friend and convert Philemon. A man of importance, Philemon hosted a church in his Colossian home. While possibly attempting to blend in with the large population of Rome, Onesimus connected with Paul during Paul’s imprisonment and was converted to the faith (Philem. 10). Though he was helpful to Paul, the apostle sent him back to Philemon to make things right. Paul pleaded with Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. Onesimus accompanied Tychicus to Colossae to deliver Paul’s letter to that church (Col. 4:9) and to present himself and Paul’s personal letter to Philemon. Though the outcome of this request is not known for certain, tradition suggests that Onesimus became a bishop in the early church.
Onesiphorus An early Christian disciple who, in the context of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel or of his “chains” (2 Tim. 1:8, 16), is praised as an example worthy of imitation (1:16–18). Onesiphorus (his name means “profit bringer”) is commended for diligently and courageously seeking out Paul in prison and for his many acts of kindness to Paul and the church at Ephesus. Paul’s prayer for God’s mercy is directed not to Onesiphorus but to his household, suggesting that he was not with them at the time of writing (1:16; 4:19).
Only Begotten John and the author of Hebrews call Jesus Christ the “only begotten,” as traditionally translated (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9; Heb. 11:17 KJV). The epithet, which is a single word in Greek (monogenēs), signifies being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship, and therefore, as we find in more recent translations, it may also be translated “one and only Son” (NIV) or “only son” (NRSV). Although the Bible claims that God has many human sons and daughters, in various senses he has but one “only begotten” Son, who must also be distinguished from the angels, who are also identified as sons of God (Heb. 1:1–14; see also Gen. 6:2, 4).
The author of Hebrews and Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, present Isaac as Abraham’s “only begotten son” (Heb. 11:17 KJV; Josephus, Ant. 1.222). But Abraham has two sons, the other one being Ishmael, as the biblical narrative and Paul make clear (Gen. 16:11–16; Gal. 4:22). The difference is that Isaac was the only begotten between Abraham and his wife, Sarah, and the one for whom God decided to perpetuate the covenant that he originally made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:1–6; 17:19). Isaac is presented by early Christians as a type of Christ, and for Paul, he is a type of all the children of the new covenant (Gal. 4:21–31). Nevertheless, through Jesus’ fulfillment of God’s covenant obligations, many, including the descendants of Ishmael, will be called “sons of God” (Gen. 17:20; Hos. 1:10, cited in Rom. 9:26; Matt. 5:9; Rom. 8:14, 19; Gal. 3:26; 4:6).
Without compromising the uniqueness of his position, the “one and only” Son is happy to share his status before God the Father through faith, by grace, which brings the believer into union with his body, the church (Gal. 2:19–20; Eph. 2:1–10; Heb. 2:10). The conviction that Christ cannot be compared to human children or angels, parts of God’s creation, contributed to the belief of comparing Christ only with God, the uncreated.
Ono A city within the coastal plain of Palestine, Ono lay approximately thirty miles northwest of Jerusalem at modern Kefr ’Ana. The city stood within the tribal allotment to Benjamin. According to 1 Chron. 8:12, Shemed, a descendant of Benjamin, built Ono, Lod, and the surrounding villages. Ezra and Nehemiah number the men who returned from exile to Lod, Hadid, and Ono at 725 and 721 respectively (Ezra 2:33; Neh. 7:37). Sanballat and Geshem, Nehemiah’s opponents, tried four times to lure Nehemiah to “one of the villages on the plain of Ono,” but Nehemiah recognized their plot to harm him and refused to go (Neh. 6:1–4).
Onycha A claw-shaped closing flap found in certain sea snails of the phylum Mollusca, including the silver conch, valued for its pungent aroma when burned. Yahweh directed Moses to use onycha in making the incense for the tent of meeting (Exod. 30:34).
Open Fields See Suburbs.
Openness Theology The view that God’s relationship to the world is open and dynamic as he adapts his will to the free will of humanity. Love is the most important attribute of God, which is expressed by his commitment to the freedom of humankind. God’s love may be rejected, but this is the risk that he takes to preserve free will. God is omniscient in that he exhaustively knows all that can be known, but this does not include the future acts of free creatures. The future is open, even for God.
Human will cooperates with God’s will to guide history. God is not the ultimate explanation for everything that happens; human decisions and actions make an important contribution too. History is the combined result of what God and his creatures decide to do. Instead of perceiving the entire course of human history in one timeless moment, God comes to know events as they occur. God’s own intentions are subject to revision based on his creatures’ actions.
Opponents of open theology maintain that it contradicts classical definitions of God’s immutability, omniscience, and omnipotence. Opponents also illustrate how predictive prophecy often found in Scripture negates open theology’s claim that God’s knowledge of the future does not exist.
Ophel All or part of the City of David south of the temple location. In Hebrew, this name always appears with the definite article (“the Ophel”), generally in conjunction with a fortifying wall. Jotham built the wall of the Ophel (2 Chron. 27:3). When Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring, it encircled the Ophel (2 Chron. 33:14). Temple servants living on the Ophel (Neh. 3:26; 11:21) repaired the wall opposite the Water Gate to the east and the projecting tower, and the men of Tekoa worked from the projecting tower to the wall of the Ophel (Neh. 3:27).
In the first century AD “the Ophel” meant a place near the temple (Josephus, J.W. 5.145). In contemporary parlance, Ophel is synonymous with the entire City of David, the spur that is bounded on the east by the Kidron Valley, to the north by the Temple Mount, and to the west by the Central or Tyropoeon Valley. It comes to a point in the south where the Kidron and Hinnom valleys meet.
Ophir (1) Twice named when nations are listed with their etymological namesakes, he is a descendant of Shem (Gen. 10:29; 1 Chron. 1:23).
(2) The land named for the people descended from Ophir (#1), it is most often mentioned in regard to the economic enterprises of different kings, especially involving gold. Together, King Solomon and King Hiram of Tyre in Phoenicia sent ships from the Red Sea port of Ezion Geber to Ophir and brought back 420 (2 Chronicles reports 450 talents) talents of gold (1 Kings 9:26–28; 2 Chron. 8:18). The report about the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon says that Solomon and Hiram’s ships brought gold from Ophir along with silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks every three years (1 Kings 10:11; 2 Chron. 9:10). Jehoshaphat also built a fleet of trading ships that he intended to send to Ophir, but they were wrecked in harbor and never set sail (1 Kings 22:48–49). David’s contribution to the building of the temple (which his son Solomon was to build) included three thousand talents of gold from Ophir (1 Chron. 29:4).
Clearly, the most important product from Ophir was its gold. The book of Job twice refers to the gold of Ophir. Eliphaz the Temanite encourages Job to get rid of his gold of Ophir (which Eliphaz implies has a wrongful place in Job’s heart) so that he can be right before God. Eliphaz says that God should be Job’s only gold (Job 22:24). Job notes that wisdom cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir (28:16). Psalm 45 describes a wedding ceremony and feast where the bride is wearing the gold of Ophir (v. 9). In an oracle against Babylon, the prophet Isaiah says that God will make humans more rare than the gold of Ophir after God punishes them (Isa. 13:12).
There is no clear indication in the Bible of the location of Ophir. Many scholars place it somewhere in Arabia; however, there are few if any ports that could match the list of exports, especially the animal exports, in 1 Kings. There is both ancient support (Josephus) and more contemporary linguistic support to suggest that Ophir may have been on the west coast of India or Sri Lanka, both of which had extensive trading centers during the tenth century BC.
Ophni A city allocated to the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned only in Josh. 18:24. It is listed among the cities of Benjamin’s eastern portion, between Kephar Ammoni and Geba. Ophni likely still survives as the modern Jifna, located two and a half miles northwest of Bethel. Josephus mentions the town under the name Gophna (J.W. 3.55).
Ophrah (1) A descendant of Judah, fathered by Meonothai (1 Chron. 4:14). (2) A city in Benjamin (Josh. 18:23), later mentioned as a destination of Philistine raiders (1 Sam. 13:17). It is identified with modern-day Taybeh, about twenty-two miles north of Jerusalem. (3) A city in Manasseh allotted to the clan of Abiezer (Josh. 17:2). Gideon, son of Joash the Abiezrite, was under the terebinth in Ophrah when first called by the angel of the Lord, for whom he then built an altar (Judg. 6:11, 24). Gideon later placed in Ophrah the gold ephod that became a snare to him and his family; he was subsequently buried there (Judg. 8:27, 32). Ophrah is also the site of the murder of the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal (Gideon) by their ruthless half brother, Abimelek (Judg. 9:5). See also Beth Ophrah.
Oracles Divine pronouncements given to humankind that are either unsolicited (Isa. 7:3–9; Hag. 1:2–11; Zech. 12:1) or a response to an inquiry (2 Kings 8:8). It was common practice throughout the ancient Near East to seek pronouncements from deities and to identify holy sites where sacred individuals could query the deities (e.g., the shrine of Apollo at Delphi). How much time elapsed between the transmission of an oracle and its inscription is uncertain. Inscriptions from the surrounding Near Eastern milieu attest that messages received from a deity often were transcribed immediately upon reception, with the prophet’s name attached.
RECEPTION AND DELIVERY OF ORACLES
The Hebrew word massa’ (derived from nasa’, “to lift, take, carry”), variously translated “oracle” (Isa. 17:1; 19:1; 21:1; 30:6), “burden” (Isa. 17:1 JPS, KJV), or “prophecy” (Prov. 30:1; 31:1 KJV), is used in this figurative sense primarily in prophetic speech (Prov. 30:1; 31:1 are the exceptions) to refer to threatening pronouncements against Israel (Hab. 1:1; Zech. 12:1; Mal. 1:1), its neighbors (Isa. 13:1; 14:28; 15:1; Nah. 1:1), or an individual (2 Kings 9:25; 2 Chron. 24:27). Although the word itself is used infrequently, the prophetic activity of delivering divine pronouncements was prevalent throughout Israel’s history, rising in prominence during the monarchy and ceasing at the beginning of the intertestamental period.
Priests, judges (Deut. 17:9), and prophets (1 Sam. 9:9) could be the recipients and deliverers of divine oracles, although as the duties of these offices became more differentiated over time, delivery of oracles became more the province of the prophet (2 Kings 22:11–14; Jer. 21:2). A few oracles found in the OT are attributed to non-Israelites (Balaam [Num. 22–24]; Agur [Prov. 30:1]; King Lemuel [Prov. 31:1]). The Israelites were commanded to seek Yahweh (Isa. 55:6; Hos. 10:12), and they (Isa. 9:13) and their leaders (Jer. 10:21) were condemned both for failure to do so and for their dismissive response to a prophetic oracle once it had been delivered, whether solicited (Ezek. 33:30–32) or not (Zech. 7:12).
Prophets were often sought to inquire about obtaining an oracle (1 Sam. 9:9; 2 Kings 3:11; 22:13) during times of crisis or need. Such oracles were for the benefit of either an individual (Exod. 18:15; 2 Kings 8:8) or the nation (1 Kings 22:5; 2 Kings 3:11; 2 Chron. 18:6) and were sought by commoners (Gen. 25:22; Exod. 18:15; Ezek. 33:30), elders (Ezek. 14:1–3; 20:1; see also 8:1), royalty (1 Kings 14:5; 22:5–8; 2 Kings 22:18; 2 Chron. 26:5), army officials (Jer. 42:1–3), and foreigners (2 Kings 8:7; Isa. 14:32). Prophetic response to oracular inquiry was not automatic. Deliverance of an oracle after an inquiry could be immediate (Jer. 37:17), delayed for an extended period of time (Jer. 42:7 [ten days]), or the prophet could refuse to deliver an oracle (Jer. 23:33; Ezek. 14:1). A previous oracle could be superseded (Isa. 38 [compare v. 1 with vv. 4–6]). Various commodities could be used for payment, including silver (1 Sam. 9:7–8), food (1 Kings 14:3), and foreign goods (2 Kings 8:7–9).
Oracles could be pronounced publicly in various places, including the palace (2 Kings 20:4–5), the temple (Jer. 7:2; 26:2), the city gates (1 Kings 22:10; 2 Chron. 18:9), the roadside (1 Kings 20:38–43), or privately to individuals, including royalty (Jer. 37:17), officials (Isa. 22:15), and foreigners (Jer. 39:15–17). There are several mentions in Scripture of oracles that are not part of the canonical record (e.g., 2 Chron. 24:27).
Oracular pronouncements could be brief (1 Kings 17:1) or lengthy (the books of Nahum and Malachi), and they consisted of a variety of genres, including satire (Isa. 44:9–20), parable (2 Sam. 12:1–14), and lament (Jer. 9:20; Ezek. 19; Amos 5:1), to produce the desired rhetorical effect. The prophetic introductory or concluding oracular formulas “thus says the LORD” and “declares the LORD” echo the messenger terminology of the broader culture, in which a similar introductory “thus says X” was used by messengers delivering public proclamations on behalf of the one who commissioned them (2 Chron. 36:23). In this way, the prophet presented an oracle as God’s message to the people, not his own.
Nominal Israel was condemned for seeking pronouncements from false gods (2 Kings 1:3–4, 6, 16; 2 Chron. 25:15; Hos. 4:12), necromancy (Isa. 8:19), and failure to inquire of the true God of Israel (Zeph. 1:6). False prophets could also claim to have received communication from God (Deut. 13:1–11; 18:20; Ezek. 13), but they were indicted for delivering their own message without divine sanction (Jer. 23:34–39; 28; Lam. 2:14; Ezek. 13), turning the people away from the true God to worship false gods (Deut. 13:1–11) and delivering oracular pronouncements in order to enjoy personal pleasure (Mic. 2:11) and gain (Jer. 6:13–15; 8:10–12).
Often Scripture simply notes that a prophet received a “word of the LORD” (Jer. 1:2; Hos. 1:1; Joel 1:1; cf. Isa. 14:28; Hab. 1:1) without explicitly stating the means by which the divine pronouncement was received. The prophetic witness mentions both seeing (Isa. 1:1; 13:1; Amos 8:1; Hab. 1:1) and hearing (Ezek. 1:24–25, 28) divine communication, but what actually happened to the prophet is not easily determined. The references to the Spirit coming upon an individual (Num. 11:25; 24:2; 1 Sam. 10:6, 10; Ezek. 8:1; 11:5; 37:1) point to some sort of divine intervention that seized the prophet’s consciousness in such a way as to prepare the prophet for a revelation from God.
Prophets were known to have ecstatic or visionary experiences that marked them as operating under divine influence. In addition, several of the prophets (Isa. 20; Jer. 13:1–11; Ezek. 5:1–4) acted out demonstrations (sign-acts) as part of their oracular ministry. These ecstatic experiences and peculiar actions offended many of their contemporaries (2 Kings 9:11; Jer. 29:26; Hos. 9:7). These phenomena were concentrated around the two great crises faced by Israel: the demise of the northern kingdom in 722 BC and of the southern kingdom in 586 BC. Having been given warning that national judgment was imminent, these prophets were led to augment their preaching with dramatizations in order to convey more persuasively to the audience the urgency of heeding their message (Ezek. 12:8–11).
TYPES OF ORACLES
Form critics have identified three main types of prophetic oracles: oracles of salvation, judgment, and repentance. The first is further divided into subcategories: individual salvation oracles (1 Kings 17:8–16) and community salvation oracles (1 Sam. 7:3–15). The prophets, however, were not tightly bound to the traditional forms, and they demonstrated great creativity in modifying the forms to fit their personal style and the situation before them.
These various types of oracles were not arbitrary pronouncements; they were founded on Israel’s covenantal relationship with Yahweh (Jer. 34:18). The prophets served as covenant prosecutors, and their oracles were part of the prosecution’s case on behalf of Yahweh against the people. Behavior, whether an individual’s or the nation’s, was evaluated in light of the demands of the covenant. So too, Yahweh’s response—judgment or salvation—was cast in terms of his faithfulness to the covenant(s) that he made with Israel.
Salvation oracles announced Yahweh’s glorious deliverance and restoration, mostly in response to the catastrophe of 586 BC (Ezek. 11:16–21; 36:24–38; 37:15–28; Amos 9:11–15; Zeph. 3:14–20), and they could include in the salvific pronouncement the destruction of the enemy (Zeph. 3:19). They often open with the formulaic “in that day” (Amos 9:11; Mic. 4:6), focusing Israel’s attention on a future time when all its enemies would be subdued and covenantal blessings would be established and enjoyed by the redeemed community.
Judgment oracles typically were introduced with an interjection, often translated into English as “woe,” followed by a formal address and accusation accompanied by an announcement of the punishment to be inflicted (Isa. 1:4; 5:8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22; Jer. 22:13; Ezek. 34:2). These oracles could take the form of a lawsuit. In Isa. 1:2 “heaven and earth” are summoned as witnesses, harking back to Deut. 30:19; 31:28; 32:1, where these elements of nature were invoked by Moses to be witnesses of God’s covenant with Israel. Some oracles state explicitly that a case has been brought against the people (Isa. 3:13; Jer. 2:9; Hos. 4:1; 12:2; Mic. 6:1–2).
Repentance oracles specifically summon the addressee to repentance and a recommitment to the covenant in order to avoid destruction (Isa. 31:6; Jer. 4:1; Hos. 12:6).
MEANS OF ORACLES
Various objects were sanctioned for use in discerning God’s will. Scripture is silent on many of the details regarding the manipulation of these objects, but the validity of their use for discerning the divine will is not questioned. The mysterious Urim and Thummim, two stonelike objects kept in the high priest’s breastpiece, appear to have operated to give a “yes or no” response (Exod. 28:30; Lev. 8:8; Deut. 33:8; 1 Sam. 14:41), though sometimes there is no response at all (1 Sam. 28:6). The ephod, some sort of two-piece linen apron or loin cloth worn by priests under the breastpiece (Exod. 28:4, 6; 1 Sam. 23:9–12; 1 Sam. 30:7–8; but note that Samuel was wearing one as he assisted the high priest Eli [1 Sam. 2:18], and David, as he led the procession returning the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem [2 Sam. 6:14]), was also pressed into service for discerning God’s will. Another method, the casting of lots, is shrouded in mystery. This method was used to determine the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:8–10), the guilty party in the loss at Ai (Josh. 7:14), land allotment in Canaan (Josh. 14–19; 21), priestly assignments in the temple (1 Chron. 24:5; 25:8; 26:13), residency in Jerusalem in the postexilic community (Neh. 11:1), the day to massacre the Jews in Persia as plotted by Haman (Esther 3:7; 9:24), and dividing the Messiah’s clothing (Ps. 22:18; cf. John 19:24).
ORACLES AGAINST THE FOREIGN NATIONS
A special group of oracles are those addressed to Israel’s historic enemies, commonly referred to as “oracles against the [foreign] nations.” Blocks of these oracles are found in Amos 1–2; Isa. 13–23; Jer. 46–51; Ezek. 25–32 and the entire books of Nahum and Obadiah. These oracles were addressed to a specific foreign nation (the putative audience) but were heard by Israel. During a time when most people’s conception of deity was tied to a specific land, these oracles maintained that Yahweh was sovereign over the whole earth, and that his purposes included all humankind. All the nations do his bidding. These oracles were to be understood against the backdrop of Israel’s infidelity to Yahweh and its futile reliance on the support of foreign nations. The oracles demonstrated that Yahweh would bring down all that was haughty and would order events so that he alone would be high and exalted in the day of his coming. Those nations that cursed Israel would themselves be cursed (Gen. 12:1–3; 27:29).
NEW TESTAMENT USAGE
In the NT, “oracle” (Gk. logion) occurs four times, always in the plural (logia [NIV: “words”]). It refers to the Mosaic law (Acts 7:38) and unspecified portions of revelation (Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12; 1 Pet. 4:11).
Oration, Orator An oration is a formal public speech; an orator is a person skilled in delivering an oration. Classical oratory flourished in fifth-century BC Athens, when itinerant intellectuals, known as Sophists, trained pupils in the art of persuasive speech. The Greek philosopher Plato disdained the Sophists as hucksters more concerned with making money and winning arguments than with presenting truth. He and his successor Aristotle extolled reason and virtue over mere persuasiveness in rhetoric. Greek oratory was admired and taught by the Romans to their young men, who needed to speak persuasively in lawcourts and public assemblies. The Roman orator Cicero stressed skills necessary for effective oration: proper word choice and sentence construction, practiced gestures and vocal modulation, appropriate emotion, wit, and charm, along with a prodigious memory and copious knowledge of history and law.
Skilled oration is particularly stressed in the Greek and Roman venues of the apostle Paul. But even in the OT the “eloquent orator” is part of Judah’s support system (Isa. 3:3 KJV). Moses decries his inadequacy as God’s spokesperson due to his lack of eloquence (Exod. 4:10). Before Paul’s apostleship, the unschooled Peter becomes an effective orator of the gospel to his Jewish audiences (Acts 2:14–40; 3:12–26; 4:8–13), while the Greek Jew Stephen’s oratorical defense of the Hebrew Scriptures’ fulfillment in Christ so inflames the Sanhedrin that they stone him (Acts 7:2–57).
The Roman orator Cicero
Paul orates the gospel to the pagan Greek cultures of the Roman Empire. In Athens, his orations arouse the interest of philosophers (Acts 17:17–20). He quotes Greek poets in his oration at the Areopagus (17:22–31). In Ephesus, Paul’s orations about the kingdom of God (19:8–9) jeopardize the idol trade, antagonizing the local artisans. An oration by the city clerk calms and diffuses the resultant riotous mob (19:35–40). Paul uses oratory in his legal defense before the governor Felix (24:10–21) and in his attempt to persuade King Agrippa of the truth and reasonableness of the gospel (26:2–29). But Paul’s speaking skills are not admired by all (2 Cor. 10:10), and Paul himself disdains the so-called wisdom of those who value such eloquence (1 Cor. 1:18–22; 2 Cor. 10:5; 11:6). He stresses that his message is not a matter of clever and confident oratorical skills but is instead taught by the Holy Spirit and empowered by God (1 Cor. 2:1–4, 13; 4:20).
Orchard Behind “orchard,” used in various translations in Song 4:13; Eccles. 2:5; Neh. 2:8, is the Hebrew word pardes (a Persian loanword), from which the word “paradise” is derived. See Luke 23:43.
Ordinance A God-established observance, often given as a remembrance for generations, a memorial, always a commandment or an edict to be carried out, noted because God’s people are a covenant people, a perpetual statement of how God wants his people to relate to him.
OLD TESTAMENT
In the OT the use of the word “ordinance” to translate certain Hebrew words varies among English translations. Since “ordinance” relates to the law, it is often mentioned with commandments and statutes, without a clear distinction of meaning (Deut. 7:11).
In the OT of the NIV, the word “ordinance” is the translation of these Hebrew words: (1) khuqqah (“statute, decree”), at least twenty-three times in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Ezekiel; (2) khoq (“action, statute, decree”), twice in Exodus; and (3) mishpat (“judgment, justice”), at least five times in the historical books, Psalms, and Ezekiel.
The Hebrew term khuqqah is used in all but one instance with ’olam to note a “lasting ordinance” in the NIV. This term refers to the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread (Exod. 12–13). The oil for the perpetual lampstand is referred to as a lasting ordinance (Exod. 27:21), as are also the directions for the Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:31) and the ceremonial cleanliness for the man working with the ashes of the red heifer (Num. 19:10). Other, more-specific laws are noted as lasting ordinances. These include, for example, the restriction from wine for the priests (Lev. 10:9), restriction of the Sabbath on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:31), and the grain offering (Ezek. 46:14).
The Hebrew term khoq is also used in conjunction with ’olam in Exod. 12:24; 30:21, translated as “lasting ordinance” by the NIV. It notes the Passover as a lasting ordinance and the ritual cleansing of the priests as a lasting ordinance.
The Hebrew term mishpat, often translated “judgment,” is also translated in the NIV as “ordinance.” In these instances it notes edicts such as that of the equal division of spoils (1 Sam. 30:25) and the edicts of David (2 Chron. 8:14). The Levites state that Israel has sinned against God’s mishpatim (Neh. 9:29), and the priests will judge according to God’s ordinances (Ezek. 44:24).
NEW TESTAMENT
In the NT, the KJV (3x) and NASB (1x) translate dikaiōma (“regulation, requirement”) as “ordinance,” and both also once translate diatagē (“that which is commanded”) as “ordinance”; additionally, the KJV translates paradosis (“tradition”) and ktisis (“human authority”) as “ordinance” once each. The ESV, NRSV, KJV, and NASB translate dogma (“ordinance, command”) in Eph. 2:15 as “ordinance.” These terms seem to refer to the edict of God for his people, his commandments that are to be obeyed. The NIV does not translate any noun as “ordinance” in the NT.
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
In Christian theology the use of the word “ordinance” is not dissimilar. It denotes a God-ordained observance given as a command for his people to fulfill as a covenant people.
Protestants generally recognize two ordinances in the NT: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion, Eucharist). The common characteristics identifying these relate to their ordination by Christ to picture his work in the life of believers and the church and their participation in him. (See also Sacrament.)
Baptism. The concept of baptism is found in five different Greek words, the nouns baptisma (“plunging, dipping”), baptismos (“washing, cleansing, plunging”), and baptistēs (“baptizer”), and the verbs baptizō (“to plunge, dip, wash”) and baptō (“to dip”). The meanings of these words have been discussed throughout church history, but all of them seem to denote an action of dipping or plunging.
Christian baptism certainly is rooted in the baptisms of John, Jesus, and the apostles. In the book of Acts the disciples simply continue to baptize those who repent, as they had done at the inception of Jesus’ ministry (John 4:2). There is no surprise expressed by the recipients of baptism; the expression seems a natural follow-up to their repentance. The connection to Judaism, however, is unclear. Judaism was saturated with rituals of purification with water and washings. These washings were similar to baptisms. While Jewish washings were perpetual, only the Jewish proselyte baptism was a onetime rite. It is unclear when proselyte baptism started or how it developed. It may already have been in place in the time of Jesus. The Talmud later speaks of it, but it is not mentioned in the OT and seems to be missing from Second Temple literature altogether. Just as there were cleansings in the OT rituals, so too the proselyte baptism was a preparatory cleansing of the proselyte candidate. Yet proselyte baptism before the time of Jesus has little extant evidence. Additionally, John would not seem to look to a ritual for Gentiles.
Others have proposed that John was in continuity with a practice of Qumran. The two were very similar (though the Qumran rite was perpetual). At Qumran, baptismal cleansing and repentance looks to the Messiah (Qumran was an eschatological community). Yet it may be that this, as well as the baptisms of John, Jesus, and the apostles, was derived from (common?) sources not now known.
For John, too, baptism is a sign of repentance and cleansing in preparation. John is the forerunner of the Messiah, and as such his focus is also eschatological. John brings an immediate focus on the Messiah, and he draws the Israelite community together to recognize, receive, listen to, and follow the Messiah. With this as the significance of John’s baptism, it is surprising to find Jesus coming to him for baptism. Although Jesus has no need for cleansing and preparation, he is baptized in solidarity with John’s message and his people. When Jesus is baptized, it apparently marks the inception of the kingdom as the Spirit comes upon him and the Father affirms him. Thereafter, Jesus notes the kingdom as being “at hand” in his presence.
Jesus baptizes at least some of the disciples (John 3:22), though the disciples are noted as those who regularly do the baptizing (John 4:2). No doubt this baptism referenced cleansing and preparation, as the Messiah was present. Apparently, the baptism of Jesus’ disciples subsided, since there is no further reference to it by the four evangelists.
On the day of Pentecost, repentance and baptism with regard to the Messiah are begun by the apostles postresurrection. This is according to the command of Jesus before the ascension to make disciples by way of baptism and instruction (Matt. 28:19–20). This baptism commanded by Jesus is to be done “in the name” of the three persons of the Trinity. The early baptismal creed was “Jesus is Lord,” and it may have included a threefold query of belief in the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Postresurrection baptism symbolizes cleansing; the inundation in the water symbolizes this cleansing as effected in the death and resurrection of Christ, “buried with him through baptism into death” (Rom. 6:4).
Baptism is always assumed of a believer (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3–4; 1 Pet. 3:21). It would have never occurred to the early church to dichotomize salvation and baptism as is often done today. The exception can be seen in Paul’s writings, where he emphasizes the kerygma over the act of baptism (1 Cor. 1:17). For Paul, the watershed is the preaching of the gospel to be received by faith, but he perpetually appeals to the baptism of his readers.
Some have overemphasized baptism by seeing it as the salvific entity. Acts 10:47 applies for Cornelius and his family the permanent reception of the Spirit before baptism. This reception of the Spirit is later likened by Peter to the original gift of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 11:15). Although it would be unwise to infer doctrine from the mere sequence of narrative events, the passage in Acts 10 at least shows the nonnecessity of the sequence of baptism to come into union with Christ. This is enacted by the operation of the Spirit alone.
In every case in the NT, the candidates for baptism are those who have come to repentance, and they are always adults. There is no direct reference to infant baptism. Some in the church have assumed infant baptism in family contexts, thought to be especially effectual in dealing with original sin. But overall, the biblical testimony seems to indicate that baptism is for believers who have repented. Because it is usually NT authority figures who administer baptism, a general consensus arose that only the bishop of the church should administer baptism. Ignatius calls for the bishop only to minister both ordinances. The tradition that baptism be administered by an ordained officer of the church is largely maintained today, though there is no edict in the Scripture.
With regard to mode, the Didache calls for immersion in running water as the preferred method, with still water being the second choice. If water is not available for immersion, then a threefold pouring is allowed. In church history, those who prioritize the symbol of cleansing use sprinkling as the mode. In any event, when anything with regard to mode can be discerned from Scripture, it involves dipping into water (“he went up out of the water” [Matt. 3:16]; “they came up out of the water” [Acts 8:39]). (See also Baptism; Infant Baptism.)
The Lord’s Supper. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is also referred to as the Lord’s Table, Communion, and the Eucharist. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the death of Christ. In the partaking of the bread and the cup there is remembrance of the ground of salvation effected in the sacrifice of the cross. Most evangelical Christians consider the bread and the cup to symbolically represent the body and blood of Christ. Other Christian traditions claim that the bread and the cup are transformed into the real body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation) or that the real body and blood of Christ are present alongside the bread and the cup (consubstantiation).
The narrative of Jesus’ Last Supper is found in Matt. 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:15–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–26. This meal as recorded in the Gospels is the covenant meal celebrated in view of the ratification of the new covenant that would soon be accomplished (“this cup is the new covenant in my blood” [Luke 22:20]). Jesus instituted the supper on the night before the crucifixion. The Last Supper of Jesus with the apostles in the upper room also looks to the past redemption effected in the Passover on that fateful night in Egypt. It looks to the present work of Christ as the covenant meal. It anticipates the messianic meal in the eschaton. Just as the bread and the cup with Jesus in his Last Supper were connected with the Passover meal, so in the early church it was observed with the love feast. The fellowship of the church contained the love feast, with the bread given before or after the meal and the cup following the bread. But by the second century, the bread and the cup took on a more liturgical air, being separated from the love feast.
Much of what we know about the Lord’s Supper comes through discussion of problems in the Corinthian church. The very thing that the Lord’s Supper was to foster—unity around the cross of Jesus Christ—was denied. The exact abuse in Corinth is unknown, but it probably involved the rich oppressing the poor by exclusion or denial of food. The response of the apostle is that if they cannot eat in equal moderation with all socioeconomic strata in the body, they are to eat at home (“Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in?” [1 Cor. 11:22]). (See also Last Supper; Lord’s Supper.)
Ordination The act of election and appointment to positions of leadership and service within religious communities.
Old Testament. In the OT, parties receiving such appointment include kings and other leaders of the people (1 Sam. 9), the Aaronide priests (Exod. 29), and the Levites (Num. 8).
Divine initiative stands behind the choice of a king. God expresses favor for a candidate through prophets (1 Sam. 9:16; 1 Kings 11:30–38), who have a role in ceremonies expressive of such appointment. An essential component of the procedure is the anointment of the appointee with oil (1 Sam. 10:1; 1 Kings 19:16). A consequence of such election and installation is the reception of a spirit from God, leading, in one case, to acts of prophecy (1 Sam. 10:10–13).
Divine initiative also stands behind the appointment of individuals (Moses [Exod. 3:7–22], Joshua [Num. 27:15–23], the various judges [Judg. 3:15; 6:11–24]) for the leadership of Israel apart from the office of kingship. In such cases within the OT, God’s communication may come directly (in the case of Moses) or through the agency of another human (Moses communicates divine intent to Joshua) or an angelic being (Judg. 6:11–24). In the case of Joshua, Moses lays his hands upon him as an expression of divine election (Num. 27:22); the action recognizes that a spirit from God has come upon Joshua (27:18).
Moses officiates at the ordination of the first priests (Aaron and his sons [Lev. 8:6–9:24]) of the Israelite sacrificial cult. Anointment with oil, the application of blood from a sanctified animal, and the donning of priestly vestments are part of the ritual of ordination.
The election of the Levites as assistants to the Aaronide priests, substitutes for the required offering of all firstborn males of Israel, comes from God (Num. 8:5–22). The laying on of hands by elders accompanies the consecration of the Levites (Num. 8:10), allowing them to handle the sanctified accoutrements of the sacrificial cult.
New Testament. In the NT, Jesus’ initiative stands behind the appointment of the disciples (Matt. 10:1–8; Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16). The disciples and/or elders preside over the appointment of other parties to positions of leadership and service in the community of faith. Such narrated acts of ordination cover appointments to a variety of tasks within the NT. These tasks include that of choosing an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:15–26), the distribution of food (6:1–6), and carrying the gospel to specific destinations (13:1–3).
The means for direction in election include prayer (Acts 13:1–3), along with the casting of lots (1:24–26). Furthermore, the combination of prayer and fasting within the context of worship may become the occasion for direction from the Holy Spirit (13:1–3). A summary statement concerning the selection of elders in Acts 14:23 concurs with 13:1–3, listing prayer and fasting as the means to discernment. Also witnessed is the judgment of the community in finding servants filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom (6:1–6). Thus, the ability of the community to recognize specific qualifications is enlisted in the process of election.
The laying on of hands may mark the commissioning of individuals to specific tasks (Acts 13:3). Elsewhere, the same action, along with an act of prophecy, bestows “gifts” upon individuals (1 Tim. 4:14). The mention of “gifts” (healing, guidance, tongues, etc.), along with the specification of certain functions within the community of faith (prophets, apostles, teachers, etc.), occurs in Rom. 12:6–8; 1 Cor. 12:27–30; Eph. 4:11. These passages offer an expansion of the list of functions and tasks described in the narratives previously mentioned. All three passages exhort the community to recognize the diversity of talent within the community and to employ those gifts appropriately. These gifts include those of healing, miracles, guidance, and speech in strange tongues. The functions and offices mentioned include those of prophet, apostle, and teacher. The collocation of such gifts and functions in these passages suggests, of course, that the appropriate gift would accompany the ability to perform such functions in the appointment of an individual.
Summary. Although differences exist between the OT and the NT in the roles prescribed by appointment and their attendant abilities, continuity across both bodies of literature finds expression through the initiative of God, the bestowal of a spirit of empowerment, and the practice of the laying on of hands in acts of ordination.
Oreb and Zeeb Midianite leaders whom the Ephraimites killed. After Gideon and his three hundred soldiers had miraculously routed the Midianite army, Gideon directed the Ephraimites to cut off the fleeing Midianites at the Jordan River. The Ephraimites were successful and captured Oreb and Zeeb, whom they put to death at the rock of Oreb and the winepress of Zeeb respectively (Judg. 7:19–25). Gideon later claimed that the Ephraimites’ killing of Oreb and Zeeb was greater than his own accomplishments in the battle (Judg. 8:1–3). See also Ps. 83:11; Isa. 10:26.
Oren A son of Jerahmeel, the firstborn son of Hezron, of the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 2:25).
Organ (1) In older translations, various musical instruments (Gen. 4:21; Job 21:12; 30:31; Ps. 150:4 KJV). (2) A biologically differentiated structure within an organism that performs a specific task or activity (e.g., liver, kidney, stomach, bowel). The Pentateuch frequently gives explicit directions for the disposition or treatment of organs during sacrifices (e.g., Exod. 12:9; 29:13; Lev. 1:9, 13; 3:3; 7:3; 9:14; Deut. 18:3). In some NT translations, organs are included in the body metaphors for the church (1 Cor. 12:12, 18–19). (3) Female or male genitalia (Num. 5:21, 22, 27; Deut. 23:1; 25:11).
Orion The Greek name for a large constellation depicting a mighty armed warrior. The same constellation may have been seen as a heavenly adumbration of the god Osiris by the Egyptians. Scripture asserts that the Lord is the creator of all constellations, even the revered Orion (Job 9:9; 38:31; Amos 5:8).
Ornan A variant name for “Araunah” found in the Hebrew of Chronicles (see 1 Chron. 21:15, 18, 20–25, 28; 2 Chron. 3:1) and rendered as such in the KJV, NKJV, NASB, and NRSV. Other versions (NIV, NLT) harmonize with “Araunah” as found in 2 Sam. 24:16–25. See also Araunah.
Orontes River The Orontes River (Nahr al-Asi) rises in the Al Biqa valley in Lebanon and flows through Syria into modern-day southern Turkey. Named after a Greek river god of Syria, the Orontes spans 250 miles. In antiquity the river was known for the trade routes that followed it. Among the cities in the Orontes Valley were Kadesh-on-the-Orontes, Riblah, Emessa, Hamath, Alalakh, and Antioch-on-the-Orontes. The valley often was used for military campaigns. The famous battle of Kadesh (c. 1274 BC) was fought along the Orontes.
Founded by Seleucus I (c. 300 BC), the city of Antioch was located sixteen miles from where the delta of the Orontes connects to the Mediterranean Sea. Its port, known as Seleucia Pieria, enabled cargo transport to and from Antioch. The apostle Paul used the Antiochian church as his home church during his three missionary journeys, frequently using its port for traveling (Acts 13:4; 14:26; 15:39–41).
Orpah The widow of Kilion (see Ruth 4:10). Along with Ruth, she was a Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi. After Naomi’s husband and sons died, Naomi convinced Orpah to remain in Moab rather than return with her to Bethlehem. Orpah thus provides a foil to Ruth, who resolved to stay with Naomi.
Orphans See Fatherless; Poor, Orphan, Widow.
Osee In Rom. 9:25 the KJV rendering of Hōsēe, the Greek name for the prophet Hosea.
Oshea See Hoshea.
Osnappar The Aramaic name of Ashurbanipal, who was the son of Esarhaddon, grandson of Sennacherib, and the last great king of Assyria (r. 668–627 BC). He is mentioned once in the Bible, in Ezra 4:10, which notes that he deported several people groups to Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates. More notably, he created the great cuneiform library in Nineveh.
Osprey A brown and white eagle with a shrill cry that dives feetfirst for fish in rivers, lakes, and the sea. The NIV identifies it with the Hebrew word rakham (Lev. 11:18; Deut. 14:17), but other translations, including the KJV, RSV, and ASV, use it to translate the Hebrew word ’ozniyah (Lev. 11:13; Deut. 14:12). The meaning of these words is uncertain, but both occur in the lists of unclean birds.
Ossifrage A term used in some older translations for an unclean bird of prey, listed along with the eagle and the osprey, all forbidden to the Israelites as food (Lev. 11:13; Deut. 14:12 KJV). The underlying and somewhat uncertain Hebrew term, peres, is more often rendered “vulture” in more recent translations.
Ostia In antiquity, the ancient city of Ostia was situated at the mouth of the river Tiber, less than twenty miles southwest of Rome. It was a Roman seaport located on one of the greatest Roman highways. Ships unloading at Ostia delivered goods to its great warehouses. At the height of its commercial existence, the city was densely populated. In time, Ostia became the main harbor for imperial Rome. Its harbor, developed in the first century AD, tended to silt up so that it was a way station along the river rather than a viable port. The silt that rendered Ostia unusable as a port preserved it as an archaeological ruin, uncovered in the twentieth century.
Ostraca Ostraca (the plural of ostracon) are potsherds with writing on them. Significant collections have been found in Samaria, Lachish, and Arad. They enhance appreciation for the cultural and historical contexts of the Israelite and late Judean monarchies.
An ancient Coptic inscription written on an ostracon
Ostrich The ostrich is listed with other wild birds as unclean (Lev. 11:13–19; Deut. 14:11–18). It is unclear why they are considered unclean, but some eat dead flesh, and this may be part of the reason. Ostriches carry a symbolic value also, as can be seen in these lists by their association with the wild fowl of the desert; they connote desolation, uninhabited wilderness. Where the ostrich dwells, humans do not. Thus, the ostrich is found with the jackal, the hyena, and the owl. “Therefore wild animals shall live with hyenas in Babylon, and ostriches shall inhabit her; she shall never again be peopled, or inhabited for all generations” (Jer. 50:39 NRSV). God made the loveless and foolish wild ostrich (Job 39:13–18).
Othni One of the sons of Shemaiah, listed among the families of Levitical gatekeepers (1 Chron. 26:7).
Othniel (1) The son of Kenaz and a nephew of Caleb (or possibly Caleb’s brother). At Caleb’s request, Othniel defeated the inhabitants of Kiriath Sepher, and as a result he received Caleb’s daughter Aksah as a bride (Josh. 15:16–19; Judg. 1:13–15). Othniel also served as the first judge of Israel, delivering the people from the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram Naharaim (Judg. 3:7–11). Israel experienced peace for forty years, which ended with the death of Othniel. (2) A clan name in the genealogy of Heldai the Netophathite, a military officer (1 Chron. 27:15).
Ouches In several places in Exodus, the KJV translates the Hebrew word mishbetsah as “ouch,” referring to a gold filigree setting for precious stones on the high priest’s ephod (Exod. 28:11, 13, 25; 39:6, 13, 16, 18).
Outcast In the OT, the concept of being an outcast typically refers to Israel (Jer. 30:17), its being scattered (Isa. 11:12; Ps. 147:2) and later gathered (Isa. 27:13; Mic. 4:6; Zeph. 3:19). Paul pictures outcast Israel as the branches broken off from the good olive tree (Rom. 11:17). Jesus’ ministry is characterized as one to outcasts from society whereby the Messiah welcomed lepers and other socially marginalized people. Jesus himself is considered an outcast, having no residence of his own and being unwelcome in Jerusalem and his own hometown (cf. John 1:11).
Outer Space In modern cosmology, “outer space” refers to the vast expanse of the universe that lies beyond the earth’s atmosphere. Within the Bible, the sky and anything beyond it—including the space traversed by the sun, the moon, and the stars, as well as the cosmic region in which the divine court exists—are referred to by the term “heaven(s)” (Heb. shamayim; Gk. ouranos [sg.], ouranoi [pl.]). The abode of the sun, the moon, and the stars is most naturally equated with the modern concept of outer space, but the equation is somewhat artificial because the ancient conception of this region was comprehensively different from the modern understanding. For example, there is little indication that the Bible’s ancient audience would have understood that the stars populating the heavens are significantly larger than the earth and are many light-years distant. Such ideas had no significant bearing on the more important information that the writers of the Bible sought to convey. By way of contrast, biblical authors wrote according to commonly held notions of the structure of the universe (without offering explicit judgment about their veracity) in order to make theological points clear to their audience.
By the time of the NT, there apparently were a variety of views of the structure of the heavens. Some held that there was just one heaven, others three, five, or seven. Typically, the highest heaven was the special abode of God.
No expression equivalent to “outer space” exists in the Bible, and the closest parallel lies in references not to space beyond the earth’s atmosphere but to uninhabited wilderness (e.g., Ps. 55:7) or even to a place of judgment and punishment (Matt. 8:12). This highlights the difference between the conceptual worlds of the original settings of the biblical texts and those of their modern readers.
Outlandish In Neh. 13:26 the KJV translates the Hebrew word nokri as “outlandish,” referring to the “foreign” (NIV) women who made Solomon sin.
Oven In biblical culture, a small cooking device cylindrical in shape and made of clay. Ovens were used for baking bread and other foods (Exod. 8:3; Lev. 2:4; 26:26; cf. “firepot” [Gen. 15:17; Jer. 36:22; Zech. 12:6]; “furnace” [Isa. 31:9; Mal. 4:1; Ps. 21:9]). The fire was built on a layer of pebbles on the oven floor. Bread was baked on the exterior surface of the oven or on the pebbles inside. Typical fuels were wood, dried grass (Matt. 6:30; Luke 12:28), and animal dung (Ezek. 4:15).
Ovens, Tower of the A tower of the second wall of Jerusalem, it was repaired by Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab during the time of Nehemiah (Neh. 3:11; 12:38 [KJV: “tower of the furnaces”]). The tower was on the western portion of the wall and may have taken its name from its proximity to baking ovens on the “street of the bakers” (see Jer. 37:21).
Overlive The KJV word for “outlive” in Josh. 24:31.
Overpass The KJV word for “pass by” in Ps. 57:1; Isa. 26:20. The word is also used in Jer. 5:28 KJV of the wicked “excelling” in evil deeds.
Overseer One who supervises. The term is used in the OT in a general sense to refer to a supervisor in a secular position (Prov. 6:7). In the NT, the term “overseer” (Gk. episkopos) is used in Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7 to describe an officer of the church. The overseer is sometimes equated with the pastor and elder positions in the church, since they share similar responsibilities. See also Offices in the New Testament.
Overshadow In the OT, overshadowing is associated with covering or protection. The directions for constructing the ark of the covenant include two gold cherubim, whose wings are to extend up and overshadow it in a posture of protection (Exod. 25:20; 37:9; 1 Kings 8:7). Tree branches are also described as overshadowing (Job 40:22; Ezek. 31:3).
In the NT, overshadowing is primarily employed figuratively and is associated with the presence of God. The Synoptic accounts of Jesus’ transfiguration incorporate the presence of an overshadowing cloud from which the voice of God emerges, identifying Jesus as his Son and urging Peter, James, and John to listen to him (Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34). The most intriguing overshadowing, however, occurs when Gabriel tells Mary that she will be overshadowed by the power of the Most High and thereby conceive Jesus, who will be the heir to the eternal throne of David (Luke 1:35). Two additional NT occurrences are more literal (Acts 5:15; Heb. 9:5).
Owl Several words are used in the OT for different kinds of owls. The “great owl” (Lev. 11:17; Deut. 14:16) is likely the Egyptian eagle owl. It is about two feet tall and frequently is found in the ruins of Egypt and Palestine. The “little owl” (Lev. 11:17; Deut. 14:16) or the “owl” (Ps. 102:6), most commonly found in Palestine, is nicknamed the “mother of ruins” by the Arabs. The identities of other “owls” are debated. The Hebrew word translated “owl” in the NIV of Isa. 34:15 (qippoz) is rendered as “tree snake” in the NASB. The Hebrew word ya’anah, translated in the NIV as “horned owl” (Lev. 11:16; Deut. 14:15), is translated elsewhere “ostrich” (NRSV). Other debated names include the “white owl” (Lev. 11:18), the “desert owl” (Lev. 11:18; Deut. 14:17; Ps. 102:6; Isa. 34:11; Zeph. 2:14), and the “screech owl” (Lev. 11:16; Deut. 14:15; Isa. 34:11; Zeph. 2:14).
Owls are listed among the unclean, inedible birds (Lev. 11:16–17; Deut. 14:16–17). The reason is not specified, but it seems to derive from their characteristic habits and the ancient association with evil spirits. Inhabiting caves and ruined temples and cities, owls are featured especially in descriptions of the desolation caused by God’s judgment (Isa. 13:20–23; 34:11–15; Zeph. 2:13–15; cf. Ps. 102:6).
Owl
Ownership Both Testaments proclaim, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it” (Ps. 24:1; 1 Cor. 10:26). Only the Lord and Creator of the universe can rightfully claim ownership over anything, be it physical, spiritual, or moral (Job 41:11). Thus, “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). He even owns human beings themselves. In a biblical worldview, God alone exercises ownership. People, however, exercise stewardship over what he has given.
Scripture guides and regulates human relationships with respect to owning property. While people are ultimately only stewards, they must never wrongly take or desire what God has entrusted to others. Therefore God commands, “You shall not steal” (Exod. 20:15) and “You shall not covet” (20:17). The book of Proverbs explains how to wisely dispose of one’s goods (Prov. 3:9, 10; 11:25; 22:9), as does Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14–30). Numerous passages teach that human “ownership” should be earned through work, if possible (Jer. 29:5–7; 2 Thess. 3:10). People should acknowledge their possessions as gifts from God by giving to the poor (Eph. 4:28) and to God’s appointed leaders, both secular and Christian: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17 [cf. Rom. 13:6; 1 Tim. 5:18]).
In fact, the whole Bible can be read as the drama of the divine owner relating to his human stewards. At creation, God charges Adam and Eve “to work . . . and take care of” the garden (Gen. 2:15), thereby entrusting all creation to human care. In disobedience they abuse their stewardship, as will their offspring. In the fall, humankind forfeits God’s benefits in paradise (Gen. 3); he disowns his unfaithful stewards. The rest of Scripture relates how God redeems a people for himself, adopting the disinherited back into his household. He begins by promising Abraham that his offspring, Israel, will possess a land, Canaan (Gen. 17:8), which will be a kind of new paradise (Exod. 3:8). The Israelites conquer the territory, but over time they prove to be unfaithful stewards. After breaking God’s covenant, they lose the land in exile.
Jesus’ parable of the landowner in Matt. 21:33–44 is basically a capsule version of this grand biblical story. Both come to a climax when God sends his Son, Jesus Christ. He comes to “buy back” his people from their sins as the one faithful servant (Mark 10:45), even unto death on a cross (Phil. 2:8). Jesus pays for his elect’s adoption with his blood, so now believers partake in God’s ownership over all things. “All things are yours, whether . . . the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God” (1 Cor. 3:21–23).
Ox A common beast of burden, mentioned mostly in the OT. The ox was particularly important in the biblical world, with its mostly agricultural economies. The Bible seems to mention two types, the domesticated ox and the wild ox. The former is mentioned commonly with other domesticated animals (sheep, donkeys) representative of property (Deut. 22:1, 10). Its main use was agricultural, whether for plowing the field, threshing grain, or pulling carts. The wild ox is mentioned largely in connection with its strength and fierce nature (Num. 24:8; Job 39:9).
Oxgoad See Goad.
Ozem (1) The sixth son of Jesse and a brother of David (1 Chron. 2:15). (2) A Judahite, one of the sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn son of Hezron (1 Chron. 2:25).
Ozias In Matt. 1:8–9 the KJV transliteration of the Greek name Ozias, referring to King Uzziah in the genealogy of Jesus.
Ozni The ancestor of the Oznites, a clan in the tribe of Gad counted in the second wilderness census (Num. 26:16).
Oznites See Ozni.