Ear

"Used frequently in a figurative sense (Ps. 34:15). To "uncover" "the ear" is to show respect to a person (1 Sam. 20:2 marg.). To" "have the "ear heavy", or to have "uncircumcised ears" (Isa." "6:10), is to be inattentive and disobedient. To have the ear" bored through with an awl was a sign of perpetual servitude (Ex. 21:6).

"An Old English word (from the Latin aro, I plough), meaning" ploughing. It is used in the Authorized Version in Gen. 45:6; Ex. 34:21; 1 Sam. 8:12; Deut. 21:4; Isa. 30:24; but the Revised Version has rendered the original in these places by the ordinary word to plough or till.

The Spirit is the earnest of the believer's destined inheritance (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14). The word thus rendered is the "same as that rendered "pledge" in Gen. 38:17-20; "indeed, the" Hebrew word has simply passed into the Greek and Latin "languages, probably through commercial dealings with the" "Phoenicians, the great trading people of ancient days." Originally it meant no more than a pledge; but in common usage it came to denote that particular kind of pledge which is a part of the full price of an article paid in advance; and as it is "joined with the figure of a seal when applied to the Spirit, it" "seems to be used by Paul in this specific sense." The Spirit's" gracious presence and working in believers is a foretaste to them of the blessedness of heaven. God is graciously pleased to give not only pledges but foretastes of future blessedness.

Rings properly for the ear (Gen. 35:4; Num. 31:50; Ezek. 16:12). "In Gen. 24:47 the word means a nose-jewel, and is so rendered in" the Revised Version. In Isa. 3:20 the Authorized Version has "ear-rings, and the Revised Version "amulets," which more" "correctly represents the original word (lehashim), which means" "incantations; charms, thus remedies against enchantment, worn" either suspended from the neck or in the ears of females. Ear-rings were ornaments used by both sexes (Ex. 32:2).

"(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word" "adamah'. In Gen. 9:20 "husbandman" is literally "man of the" "ground or earth." Altars were to be built of earth (Ex. 20:24)." "Naaman asked for two mules' burden of earth (2 Kings 5:17)," "under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of" "the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own" soil. "(2). As the rendering of 'erets, it means the whole world (Gen. 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (2 Chr. 13:9). In the New Testament the earth denotes the land of Judea (Matt. 23:35); also things "carnal in contrast with things heavenly (John 3:31; Col. 3:1," 2).

Mentioned among the extraordinary phenomena of Palestine (Ps. 18:7; comp. Hab. 3:6; Nah. 1:5; Isa. 5:25). "The first earthquake in Palestine of which we have any record "happened in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:11, 12). Another took" "place in the days of Uzziah, King of Judah (Zech. 14:5). The" most memorable earthquake taking place in New Testament times happened at the crucifixion of our Lord (Matt. 27:54). An earthquake at Philippi shook the prison in which Paul and Silas were imprisoned (Act 16:26). "It is used figuratively as a token of the presence of the Lord (Judg. 5:4; 2 Sam. 22:8; Ps. 77:18; 97:4; 104:32).