Bible Dictionary Project

BIBLE DICTIONARY PROJECT

Lynette Cox

Student ID:  27607198

BIBL 104

November 30, 2015

DANIEL:  The book of Daniel is an account of the prophecies and personal histories of the prophet, Daniel.   The overall theme is two-fold.  First, it is to show God's sovereignty over Israel and the nations of the world.  Secondly, it is to encourage the faithful in time of persecution.  The book is made up primarily of historical narrative and apocalyptic prophetic visions.1  It is listed among the historical books of the Bible.  The book of Daniel identifies Daniel as the author (Daniel 9:2, 10:2)2.  Jesus mentions Daniel as the author, as well (Matthew 24:15)3.  It was written in both Hebrew and Aramaic.  It was set during the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people and the first few years of the Persian era.4  We know this because of the references to language, culture, and history of the Babylonian Empire.5  The book was likely written between 605-535 BC based on the facts that David dates himself repeatedly and the historical figures that are associated with him, such as,  Nebuchadnezzar (1:18), Belshazzar (5:29), and Cyrus (6:28).6  The prophecies written detailed the coming of the Messiah (7:13–14; 9:25–26), the rise of the Antichrist (8:21–25; 9:26–27; 11:36–45), the time of tribulation (12:1–7), the triumph of the kingdom of God (2:44), and the final resurrection (12:13) and are rich in symbolic imagery.7 Two of the most memorable stories of this book are Daniel's friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) being thrown in the fiery furnace and Daniel being tossed into the lions' den. Both stories show the persecution of  men because of their stand for God.  

ESTHER:  Esther's was born in 492BC with the Jewish name Hadesseh, meaning myrtle and was of the tribe of Benjamin.8   It is believed she took on the Persian name of Esther when she joined the Persian court.9  Her father's brother, Mordecai raised her as his daughter after her parents died.  Her story can be found in the biblical book of Esther.  Esther became queen to King Xerxes after he divorced the former queen due to disobedience.  She reigned as Queen of Persia for 13 years.10 She kept her Jewish identity as secret.  It is in the role as queen that Esther became known as a heroine for the Jewish people.   Haman, the king's advisor devised a plan to eradicate the Jews.   Esther used her influence with the king to foil the plan and save the Jews (Esther 6:1-10:3)11  Her clever intervention kept the Jewish nation from being eradicated.   She was a woman of great faith, wisdom, and grace.  God used these traits to secure the future of the nation of Israel, which, in turn, secured the messianic promise that the true Deliverer would be born of this great nation.12 Although the exact date of her death is unknown, it is estimated she lived until 460 BC.13

JERICHO: The city of Jericho is thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in history.  It dates back over 10,000 years.14  It is known as the "The Date City" or "City of Palm Trees".15  The springs leading into the city make the soil very fertile. It was a city with great orchards and vegetation.  Most of the people were engaged in some sort of agriculture.16   Jericho is known for the invention of pottery.17 It is situated on the West Bank, near the northern portion of the Dead Sea.  In biblical times, it was the strongest fortress in the land of Canaan.   It has been mentioned in the Bible over 100 times, often as a city of peace and wealth.18  Jericho can be found most notably in the book of Joshua.  It is there that the story of the Battle of Jericho is told.  God instructed Joshua to conquer the city.  Joshua led the army of Israel around the city walls for six days.  On the seventh day, the priests blew trumpets, the people shouted, and the walls of the great city fell.  The entire population was destroyed. Rahab, a prostitute, was spared because she hid the spies Joshua had sent into the city.