Easton's Bible Dictionary

This is a series of entries from a biblical dictionary or encyclopedia, covering terms alphabetically from "Lemuel" to "Levite" in the Old and New Testament tradition. The entries define Hebrew and Greek terminology, identify figures and places, and explain religious laws and customs, drawing heavily on the Pentateuch, historical books, and prophetic texts. Particularly detailed treatment is given to leprosy — including its six recognized forms, the strict social exclusion it imposed, and its theological interpretation as a visible emblem of spiritual corruption — and to the Levites, whose distinct religious role, territorial arrangements, and system of tithed support are traced from the golden calf incident through the settlement of Canaan. The entry on "Leviathan" is notable for tracing the word's shifting referents across biblical texts, from a literal crocodile to mythological dragon to symbolic stand-in for Assyrian and Babylonian empires. A recurring interpretive move throughout is typological: leprosy cured by Christ illustrates his power over the "leprosy of the soul," and Levitical institutions prefigure priestly order. This would interest readers wanting compact, citation-rich reference explanations of specific biblical terms, especially those with legal, ritual, or symbolic significance.