Boyd's Bible Dictionary: L

(shine). The temple candlestick (Ex. 25:31-40; 1 Kings 7:49). Torches (Judg. 7:16). Oriental lamps of many shapes and ornamental. Fed with oil, tallow, wax (Matt. 25:1).

Lancet

(little lance). Light spear (1 Kings 18:28).

Landmarks

Were trees, stones, towns, mountains, streams

Removal forbidden (Deut. 19:14; Prov. 22:28).

Language

(tongue). Originally one (Gen. 11:1). Diversified at Babel (Gen. 11:7-9).

Lantern

(shining). Covered candle or lamp (John 18:3).

Laodicea

(just people). Ancient Diospolis; modern Eski-hissar. A city of Phrygia, and seat of an early Christian church (Col. 2:1; 4:15; Rev. 1:11; 3:14-22).

Lapidoth

(lamps). Husband of Deborah (Judg. 4:4).

Lapwing

An unclean bird, thought to be the beautiful migratory hoopoe

(Lev. 11:19).

Lasea

City in Crete

(Acts 27:8).

Lasha

(cleft). A Canaanite border (Gen. 10:19).

Lasharon

(plain). A Canaanite town (Josh. 12:18).

Latchet

(lace). Sandal lacings, or fastenings (Gen. 14:23; Mark 1:7).

Latin

Language of Latium, that is, the Romans

(Luke 23:38; John 19:20).

Lattice

(lath). Open work of wood or metal; also window, blind, or screen (Judg. 5:28; 2 Kings 1:2; Prov. 7:6).

Laver

(wash). Brazen vessel holding water for priestly washings-hands, feet, and the sacrifices (Ex. 30:18-21; 38:8; 1 Kings 7:38-40; 2 Chron. 4:6).

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Law

(rule). In Scripture, reference is nearly always to the Hebrew civil, moral, and ceremonial law (Matt. 5:17; John 1:17; Acts 25:8).

Lawyer

Scribe or divine who expounded the Mosaic law in school or synagogue

(Matt. 22:35; Luke 10:25).

Lazarus

(whom God helps). Abbreviation of Eleazar. (1) Brother of Mary and Martha (John 11:1; 12:1-11). (2) Type of poverty and distress in the parable (Luke 16:19-31).

Lead

Early known, imported and used by Hebrews

(Ex. 15:10; Num. 31:22; Job 19:24; Ezek. 27:12).

Leaf

Of trees

(Gen. 8:11; Matt. 21:19); double doors (1 Kings 6:34); of books (Jer. 36:23); prosperity (Jer. 17:8); decay (Job 13:25).

Leah

(weary). Jacob’s wife through deceit of her father, Laban (Gen. 29; 30; 49:31).

Leasing

(lying). Falsehood (Psa. 4:2; 5:6).

Leather

Used by Hebrews

(2 Kings 1:8; Matt. 3:4).

Leaven

(raise). Old fermented dough used to lighten new dough (Matt. 13:33). Passover bread unleavened (Ex. 12:15-17). Corrupt doctrines (Matt. 16:6); evil passions (1 Cor. 5:7-8).

Lebana

(white). His children returned (Neh. 7:48). Lebanah (Ezra 2:45).

Lebanon

(white). Two mountain ranges running N. E., between which was Coelo-Syria. The western is Libanus, or Lebanon proper. The eastern is Anti-Libanus, and skirted Palestine on the north (Deut. 1:7; Josh. 1:4). Many scripture allusions (Isa. 10:34; Jer. 22:23).

Lebaoth

(lionesses). Boundary town of southern Judah (Josh. 15:32).

Lebbaeus

(brave). Thaddaeus, the apostle Jude (Matt. 10:3, Mark 3:18).

Lebonah

(incense). Place north of Bethel (Judg. 21:19).

Lecah

(walking). Person or place (1 Chron. 4:21).

Leech

[HORSE-LEECH

Leek

Closely allied to the onion

(Num. 11:5).

Lees

(dregs). Sediment of liquor. Settled, pure wine (Isa. 25:6); sloth (Jer. 48:11); extreme suffering (Psa. 75:8).

Legion

(gathered). Division of Roman army; when full, 6200 men and 730 horse. N. T. use indefinite (Matt. 26:53; Mark 5:9).

Lehabim

(flame). A Mizraite tribe; Libyans (Gen. 10:13). Lubim (2 Chron. 12:3).

Lehi

(jawbone). Where Samson slew the Philistines (Judg. 15:9,19).

Lemuel

(dedicated). The unknown king in Proverbs 31:1-9.

Lentil

(little lens). A podded food plant, like the pea or bean (Gen. 25:34; 2 Sam. 17:28).

Leopard

(lion-panther). This fierce, spotted beast of the cat species once found in Jordan jungles (Jer. 13:23; Dan. 7:6; Song of Sol. 4:8).

Leper

(peeled). Who has leprosy; a loathsome, incurable skin disease, common in East (Ex. 4:6); treatment of (Lev. 14:3-32; Luke 17:12-19).

Leshem

(Josh. 19:47). [LAISH.]

Letushim

(hammered). Son of Dedan, and his Arabian tribe (Gen. 25:3).

Leummim

(nations). Son of Dedan, and his Arabian tribe (Gen. 25:3).

Levi

(joined). (1) Third son of Jacob (Gen. 29:34); avenged Dinah’s wrong (Gen. 34:25-31); cursed (Gen. 49:5-7); went to Egypt (Ex. 6:16); blessed (Ex. 32:25-28). (2) Two of Christ’s ancestors (Luke 3:24,29). (3) Original name of Matthew (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27,29; compare Matt. 9:9).

Leviathan

(aquatic monster). The crocodile is described in Job 41; and probably meant in Psalm 74:14; 104:26.

Levites

Descendants of Levi

(Ex. 6:16-25; Lev. 25:32; Num. 35:2-8; Josh. 21:3). In above, the tribe is meant. But Levites came to mean the priestly branch, that is, descendants of Aaron (Josh. 3:3; 1 Kings 8:4; Ezra 2:70; John 1:19). Three Levitical lines, Kohathite, Gershonite, Merarite (Num. 3:17). Assigned 48 cities among the other tribes (Num. 35).

Leviticus

(for Levites). Third book of Bible and Pentateuch, containing the ceremonial law for guidance of Levites. Authorship ascribed to Moses and Aaron.

Libertines

(free). Emancipated Jewish slaves; freedman (Acts 6:9).

Libnah

(while). (1) An Israelite encampment (Num. 33:20-21). (2) Levitical city in Judah (Josh. 10:29-31; 2 Kings 19:8-35; 1 Chron. 6:57).

Libni

(whiteness). (1) A Levite, founder of Libnites (Ex. 6:17; Num. 3:18-21). (2) Probably the above (1 Chron. 6:29).

Libya

(Ezek. 30:5; Acts 2:10). The African continent west of Egypt and contiguous to Mediterranean. See Lubim and Lehabim.

Lice

(destroyers). Constituted the third Egyptian plague (Ex. 8:16-18; Psa. 105:31).

Lieutenants

(place-holders). Satraps or viceroys (Esther 8:36). Princes (Dan. 3:2; 6:1).

Life

Natural

(Gen. 3:17); spiritual (Rom. 8:6); eternal (John 3:36; Rom. 6:23).

Light

First gush of creation

(Gen. 1:3). Frequent source of imagery (Matt. 4:16; Luke 2:32; John 1:7-9).

Lign-aloes

(wood-aloes). [ALOES.]

Ligure

(lynx urine). Possibly amber. First stone in third row of high priest’s breastplate (Ex. 28:19; 39:12).

Likhi

(learned). A Manassite (1 Chron. 7:19).

Lily

(pale). Source of rich imagery (1 Kings 7:19; Song of Sol. 2:1-2; 5:13; Matt. 6:28; Luke 12:27).

Lime

(glue). Was known and used for plaster and cement work (Deut. 27:2; Isa. 33:12; Amos 2:1).

Linen

(flax). Used for stately robes (Gen. 41:42); priestly vestments (Ex. 28:42; Lev. 6:10); temple veil (2 Chron. 3:14); choral gowns (2 Chron. 5:12), and ordinary dress. Symbol of purity (Rev. 15:6); of luxury (Luke 16:19).

Lintel

(boundary). Support over window or door (Ex. 12:22; 1 Kings 6:31).

Linus

(net). Roman friend of Paul (2 Tim. 4:21).

Lion

(seeing). Once found in Palestine (Judg. 14:5-6; 1 Sam. 17:34-36; 2 Sam. 23:20). Symbol of strength (Gen. 49:9).

Litter

(bed). Covered couch or chair, carried by men or animals (Isa. 66:20). “Wagons” (Num. 7:3).

Lizard

(muscular). Abundant in Palestine. Unclean (Lev. 11:30).

Lo-ammi

(not my people). Figurative name of Hosea’s son (Hos. 1:9).

Loans

Allowed by Hebrews, but all debts canceled in Sabbatical year

(Deut. 15:1-11). Usury not allowed (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:36; Deut. 15:3-10).

Lock

(bar). A bar of wood or metal for outer, and bolt for inner, doors (1 Kings 4:13; Judg. 3:24).

Locust

(leaping). Confused original, supposedly embracing the destructive insects—locust, grasshopper, caterpillar, palmer-worm. They constituted the eighth Egyptian plague (Ex. 10:1-15; Joel 2:3-10).

Lod

(1 Chron. 8:12; Ezra 2:33). [LYDDA.]

Lo-debar

(barren). A place east of Jordan (2 Sam. 9:4; 17:27).

Log

Hebrew liquid measure; about five sixths of a pint

(Lev. 14:10-24).

Lois

(pleasing). Timothy’s grandmother (2 Tim 1:5).

Looking-glass

Polished metal plate

(Ex. 38:8; Job 37:18).

Lord

(loaf-guardian). Jehovah, LORD (Gen. 15:4; Psa. 7; 100). Adonai, Lord, Christ, The Lord, Our Lord. Supreme ruler, and not the Saxon dignitary.

Lord’s Day

First day of the week; resurrection day of Christ

(Rev. 1:10). Sunday, after A. D. 321.

Lord’s Supper

Instituted by Christ the night before His crucifixion, for His own to do in remembrance of Him and to show forth His death until He come

(Matt. 26:19; Mark 14:16; Luke 22:13). “Breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42; 20:7). “Communion” (1 Cor. 10:16). “Lord’s Supper” only in 1 Corinthians 11:20.

Lo-ruhamah

(unpitied). Hosea’s daughter (Hos. 1:6).

Lot

(veil). Abraham’s nephew (Gen. 11:27-31). Settled in Jordan valley (Gen. 13:1-13). Escaped to mountains (Gen. 19). Progenitor of Moabites and Ammonites.

Lotan

(hidden). A Horite duke (Gen. 36:20-29).

Lots, Feast of

[PURIM

Lots

Casting or drawing of, a usual way of settling questions

Possibly marked pebbles were used, in a bag or box. Canaan was allotted to the tribes of Israel (Num. 26:55; Josh. 15; 19). Scapegoat so chosen (Lev. 16:8); priest’s courses (1 Chron. 24; 25), property divided (Matt. 27:35).

Love Feasts

Feasts of offerings, after the community of goods ceased

(Jude 12; 2 Peter 2:13). Forbidden by Council of Laodicea, A. D. 320.

Lubim

(2 Chron. 12:3; 16:8). [LIBYA.]

Lucas

Luke the evangelist

(Philem. 24).

Lucifer

(light-giver). Types the king of Babylon (Isa. 14:12). Popularly, Satan.

Lucius

(morning born). (1) Paul’s kinsman (Rom. 16:21). (2) A Cyrenean convert and teacher (Acts 13:1).

Lud

(strife). Son of Shem (Gen. 10:22).

Ludim

(strife). A Mizraite tribe (Gen. 10:13; Isa. 66:19; Ezek. 27:10).

Luhith

(board-made). Place in Moab (Isa. 15:5; Jer. 48:5).

Luke

(luminous). Evangelist and physician (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11). Author of third gospel and of Acts of the Apostles.

Lunatics

(moon-struck). Epileptics are probably meant (Matt. 4:24; 17:15).

Luz

(almond). Site of Bethel (Gen. 28:19; Josh. 16:2; Judg. 1:23).

Lycaonia

(wolf-land). Wild district of Asia Minor, containing towns of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium (Acts 14:6-11). Twice visited by Paul.

Lycia

A southwestern district of Asia Minor, with Myra and Patara as cities

(Acts 21:2; 27:5).

Lydda

(strife). Hebrew Lud or Lod. Now Lidd or Ludd. In Sharon plain, 9 miles east of Joppa (Acts 9:32).

Lydia

(Lydus land). Woman convert of Thyatira (Acts 16:14).

Lysanias

(that drives away sorrow). Tetrarch of Abilene (Luke 3:1).

Lysias

(dissolving). Claudius Lysias, captain of the band that rescued Paul (Acts 21-24:1-9).

Lystra

(dissolving). City of Lycaonia, where Paul was honored (Acts 14:6-18); and stoned (Acts 14:19-21).

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