Page 231 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

ENSUE - EPHOD

ENSUE. To pursue; to follow (1 Pe. 3:11). “indignation” (Ac. 5:17; He. 10:27), “jealous” (2 Co.
ENTANGLE. “To twist or interweave in such a 11:2), “zeal” (Jn. 2:17; Ro. 10:2; 2 Co. 7:11; 9:2; Ph.
manner as not to be easily separated; to make confused 3:6; Col. 4:13). [See Emulations, Jealous.]
or disordered; as, thread, yarn or ropes may be EPHAH (obscurity). 1 Ch. 2:46.
entangled; to involve in anything complicated, and from EPHAH. [See Weights and Measures.]
which it is difficult to extricate one’s self” (Webster). EPHAI (obscuring). Je. 40:8.
This word is used five times in the English Bible (Ex.
14:3; Mt. 22:15; Ga. 5:1; 2 Ti. 2:4; 2 Pe. 2:20). In the EPHER (young deer or calf). Ge. 25:4.
last two references it is a warning against Christians EPHESDAMMIM (extension of brooks). 1 Sa. 17:1.
being entangled with the world. The Greek word used EPHESUS. Ephesus was the chief city of the region of
in 2 Ti. 2:4 and 2 Pe. 2:20 is from pleko, which means to Lydia in the Roman province of Asia and during the
braid (Mt. 27:29). [See Separation, World.] time of Caesar Augustus it bore the title “the first and
ENTAPPUAH (fountain of Tappuah). Jos. 17:7. greatest metropolis of Asia” (McClintock and Strong).
ENTERING. Entrance (Ex. 35:15; Jos. 8:29). Paul started the church in Ephesus (Ac. 19-20). Later he
wrote the epistle of Ephesians to the Christians there.
ENTERTAIN. To receive; to be hospitable (He. 13:2). The Lord Jesus addressed the church at Ephesus in Re.
[See Hospitality.] 2:1-7. Its prestige and wealth stemmed largely from its
ENTICE. To tempt; to incite; to urge or lead astray; situation. It was located on the coast of the Aegean Sea,
to allure; to persuade (Ex. 22:16; De. 13:6; Jud. 14:15; surrounded by very fertile soil and enjoying an
16:5; 2 Ch. 18:19; Job 31:27; Pr. 1:10; 1 Co. 2:4; Col. exceptional climate. It had a large artificial harbor, the
2:4; Ja. 1:14). The Hebrew word translated “entice” greatest in Asia, though it was subject to silting and
nine times (pahthah) is also translated “deceived” (De. shifting. It had a magnificent theater that could seat
11:16; Job 31:9), “flattereth” (Ps. 78:36; Pr. 20:19), 24,000, and a large portion of it is still visible today in
“silly dove” (Hos. 7:11), “persuade” (1 Ki. 22:20; Pr. the excavated area of the city. It is in this theater that
25:15). [See Beguile, Cunning Craftiness, Deceit, the event described in Acts 19:23-41 took place.
Dissemble, Dissimulation, Feign, Flattery, Flattering Ephesus was dedicated to the worship of Diana (Acts
Titles, Satan, Sleight, Subtil, Temptation, Trial, 19:24-28). (The Greeks called her Artemis, while the
Winketh.] Romans called her Diana.) There was a magnificent
ENTREAT. To ask; to desire (Ge. 23:8; Lk. 15:28; 2 temple of Diana at the head of the city’s harbor. The
Co. 8:4; He. 12:19; Ja. 3:17). Same as “intreat.” temple, which took 220 years to build with funds
ENVIRON. To be; go; turn round about (Jos. 7:9) provided from cities throughout Asia Minor, was listed
(Young). among the “seven wonders of the ancient world.” It was
ENVY. To feel uneasiness, mortification or 110 meters (361 feet) long and 55 meters (180.5 feet)
discontent, at the sight of superior excellence, wide, sitting on a platform 127 meters (420 feet) long
reputation or happiness enjoyed by another; to repine at and 73 meters (240 feet) wide (Edwin Yamauchi, New
another’s prosperity; to fret or grieve one’s self at the Testament Cities, p. 103). Ephesus was also famous for
real or supposed superiority of another, and to hate him its magic arts. The “Ephesian Letters,” containing magic
on that account. Envy springs from pride, ambition or formulas written on paper or parchment, were much
love, mortified that another has obtained what one has sought after for use as amulets to ward off evil spirits
a strong desire to possess (Webster). To be jealous; to and to bring good luck. Through Paul’s preaching and
grudge; (Ge. 26:14; 30:1; 37:11; Nu. 11:29; Ps. 37:1; the conversion of many people at Ephesus a bonfire was
73:3; 106:16; Pr. 3:31; 14:30; 23:17; 24:1, 19; 27:4; Is. made of magic books at the time of the founding of the
11:13; Eze. 31:9; Mt. 27:18; Mk. 15:10; Ac. 7:9; 13:45; church there (Acts 19:17-19). Present day Ephesus is
17:5; Ro. 1:29; 13:13; 1 Co. 3:3; 13:4; 2 Co. 12:20; Ga. located in Turkey and is called Selcuk, with a population
5:21, 26; Ph. 1:15; 1 Ti. 6:4; Tit. 3:3; Ja. 3:14, 16; 4:5; of 10,000. Extensive archeological excavations have
1 Pe. 2:1). There are two Greek words translated “envy” been carried out since the discovery of the ruins of the
in the KJV: zelos (Ac. 7:9; 13:45; 17:5; Ro. 13:13; 1 Co. ancient Diana temple in the 19th century.
3:3; 13:4; 2 Co. 12:20; Ja. 3:14, 16) and phthonos (Mt. EPHLAL (judging). 1 Ch. 2:37.
27:18; Mk. 15:10; Ro. 1:29; Ga. 5:21, 26; Ph. 1:15; 1 EPHOD. The ephod was placed over the head and
Ti. 6:4; Tit. 3:3; Ja. 4:5; 1 Pe. 2:1). Zelos refers to zeal, shoulders of the high priest. It was made of fine linen
“used in a good sense (Jn. 2:17; Ro. 10:2; 2 Co. 9:2) with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet colors woven in it
and, more often, in an evil sense (Ac. 5:17; Ro. 13:13; (Ex. 39:2-5). The ephod was used as an idolatrous
Ga. 5:20; Ja. 3:14)” (Zodiates). Zelos is also translated image in the time of the Judges (Jud. 8:26-27; 17:5).
“fervent” (Ac. 18:25; Ro. 12:11; 2 Co. 7:7),

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