Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) Balaam bāˈləm [key], the central character in an amalgam of Israelite traditions found in the Book of Numbers. Hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Hebrews encamped in the Jordan valley, Bala...

(Encyclopedia) Golan gōˈlən [key], in the Bible, refuge city, located in the tribal territory of Manasseh E of the Jordan; it was also a levitical city. Golan gives its name to the rocky plateau known as the Gola...

(Encyclopedia) Kerioth kĕrˈēŏth [key]. 1 Unidentified town, E of the Jordan in Moab. Called Kirioth in Amos 2.2. 2 Unidentifed town, S ancient Palestine. In AV what had been one name is given as two: Kerioth and...

(Encyclopedia) Medeba mĕdˈĭbə, mēˈ– [key], town, Jordan, the modern Madaba, E of the Dead Sea. An ancient Moabite town, it changed hands between Moab and Israel several times. In early Christian times it was...

(Encyclopedia) Gilgal gĭlˈgăl [key], in the Bible. 1 First encampment of the Israelites near Jericho, W of the Jordan; Saul was made king there. It was also the scene of Saul's impetuous sacrifice before battle i...

(Encyclopedia) Schiavo case, the legal battles over the guardianship and rights of Theresa Maria Schindler Schiavo (1963–2005). Terri Schiavo was incapacitated and hospitalized in 1990, after she collapsed when he...

(Encyclopedia) Choniates, Nicetas: see Acominatus, Michael. ...

(Encyclopedia) archangel ärkˈānjəl [key], chief angel. They are four to seven in number. Sometimes specific functions are ascribed to them. The four best known in Christian tradition are Michael, Gabriel, Raphae...

(Encyclopedia) Gratz, Barnard grăts [key], 1738–1801, American merchant, b. Langensdorf, Upper Silesia. Having worked in his cousin's countinghouse in London, Gratz emigrated (1754) to Philadelphia, where he beca...

(Encyclopedia)  Jagger, Mick (Michael Phillip Jagger): see Rolling Stones. ...