Page 469 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PITHOM - POLYGAMY

PITHOM (very great space). Ex. 1:11. things were created for God’s pleasure (Re. 4:11). (2)
PITHON (great enlargement). 1 Ch. 8:35. Will; intention; purpose (Ezr. 5:17; Ne. 9:27; Is. 44:28;
PITIETH. To have compassion on (Ps. 103:13; Eze. Ph. 2:13). (3) Good will; favour (Ps. 30:5).
24:21). PLEIADES (the seven stars). “Being named with
PITIFUL. Compassionate; full of pity; tender; having Arcturus and Orion, it doubtless refers to the group of
a heart to feel sorrow and sympathy for the distressed stars that still bear the name Pleiades (Job 9:9; 38:31).
(Webster) (Ja. 5:11; 1 Pe. 3:8). The Greek word The same Hebrew word is translated SEVEN STARS in
polusplagchnos which is translated “very pitiful” in Ja. Amos v. 8. There are many stars in the group, but seven
5:11 is used only one time in the Bible. It is defined as are visible to the naked eye” (Concise).
“extremely compassionate” by Strong. Another Greek PLENARY. Full; complete. (1) Plenary refers to the
word (usplanknos) is translated “pitiful” in 1 Pe. 3:8. It biblical view of the inspiration of the Holy Scripture.
is translated “tenderhearted” in Ep. 4:32. [See Love, [See Bible, Inspiration.] (2) Plenary refers to a council
Tenderhearted.] meeting in which all members are present.
PLAGUE. (1) Disease; suffering; trouble; punishment PLENTEOUS. Plentiful; abundant (Ge. 41:34; Mt.
(Ex. 11:1; Le. 13:2; Mk. 5:29; Re. 16:21). (2) To smite 9:37).
with disease; to punish (Ps. 73:5, 14). [See Suffering, PLUCK. To pull; tear (Ex. 4:7; Ru. 4:7; Pr. 14:1; Mk.
Tribulation.] 5:4).
PLAIN. (1) Level land; open field with even surface PLUMBLINE, PLUMMET. A weight attached to a
(Ge. 11:2; 12:6; 13:10; Lk. 6:17). (2) Simple; honest string for testing whether a wall is perpendicular. It is
(Ge. 25:27). (3) Straight; upright (Ps. 27:11). (4) Open; used symbolically for the exactness with which
not obscure; understandable (Pr. 8:9; Hab. 2:2). (5) To judgment was brought upon Israel. Israel had been built
lift up; to be exalted (Pr. 15:19). This verse contrasts the up by God as a wall with a plumbline, and with a
way of the slothful with the way of the righteous. The plumbline it should be destroyed (Am. 7:7-8; 2 Ki.
slothful is pictured as hedged in with thorns; the 21:13; Is. 28:17) (Concise). God’s “plumbline” is His
righteous, as walking along a raised and level highway eternal Word by which man and all his works are
so that his way is not restrained. (6) Correct; not judged.
restricted (Mk. 7:35). PNEUMATOLOGY. The doctrine relating to the Holy
PLAINNESS. Frankness; boldness; confidence (2 Co. Spirit. [See Holy Spirit.]
3:12). POCHERETH (cutting of the mouth of man, to
PLAISTER. To daub; to spread mortar; to caulk (Le. entrap). Ezr. 2:57.
14:42; De. 27:2; Da. 5:5). POETICAL BOOKS, POETRY. The O.T. books of Job,
PLAIT. To braid, fold, twist (Mt. 27:29; 1 Pe. 3:3). Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. [See
PLAT. Portion (2 Ki. 9:26). Bible.]
PLATTED. To weave (Mt. 27:29). POINT OUT. To assign (Nu. 34:7-8, 10).
PLATTER. A dish (Mt. 23:25-26). POLITY. Government; a term used to describe
PLAY THE. Act the part of; to be something (De. church organization and operation. [See Church.]
22:21; 1 Sa. 21:15; Ho. 3:3). The phrase “play the men” POLL. (1) To count persons (Nu. 1:2-22). (2) To cut
in 2 Sa. 10:12 means “to be men,” to behave manfully, the hair (2 Sa. 14:26; Eze. 44:20; Mi. 1:16). [See Hair.]
courageously. POLLUX (great power). Castor and Pollux, the twin
PLEAD. (1) To beseech; to use entreaty; to beg (1 Sa. sons of Jupiter and Leda (Ac. 28:11).
24:15; Job 13:6). (2) To argue, contend, as in a law suit POLYGAMY. A plurality of wives or husbands. The
or controversy (Job 9:19; Pr. 22:23; 23:11; 31:9; Is. English word is from the Greek words polus and gamos,
1:17; Je. 2:9, 35; 51:36; Eze. 17:20; 20:35, 36; Mi. meaning many marriages. Though certain O.T. believers
7:9). The same Hebrew word is translated “reason” (1 practiced polygamy (Ge. 25:6; 35:22; Ju. 8:31; 2 Sa.
Sa. 12:7), “execute judgment” (2 Ch. 22:8), and 5:13; 1 Ki. 11:3; 2 Ch. 11:21), it has always been
“contend” (Pr. 29:9). (3) To punish; to execute condemned by God. (1) God ordained one-woman, one-
judgment (Is. 66:16; Eze. 38:22). man marriage in the beginning (Ge. 2:20-24). (2)
PLEASURE. (1) Enjoyment; that which pleases (Ge. Polygamy originated with the son of rebellious Cain (Ge.
18:17; De. 23:24; 1 Ch. 29:17; Es. 1:8; Ps. 147:11; Pr. 4:16-19). (3) Concerning David and other O.T. saints
21:17; Re. 4:11). The word “pleasure” is used to who had plural wives: (a) It resulted in much heartache
describe lawful enjoyment (Ge. 18:12; 2 Co. 12:10), as and trouble (Ge. 16:1-6; 1 Sa. 1:2-8; 1 Ki. 11:1-8). (b)
well as unlawful (2 Th. 2:12; 1 Ti. 5:6; 2 Pe. 2:13). All God had forbidden kings to multiply wives (De. 17:14,

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 469