Index 


Fruit A word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into three classes: (1.) The fruit of the field, "corn-fruit" (Heb. dagan ); all kinds of grain and pulse. (2.) The fruit of the vine, "vintage-fruit" (Heb. tirosh ); grapes, whether moist or dried. (3.) "Orchard-fruits" (Heb. yitshar ), as dates, figs, citrons, etc. Injunctions concerning offerings and tithes were expressed by these Hebrew terms alone (Num 18:12; Deu 14:23). This word "fruit" is also used of children or offspring (Gen 30:2; Deu 7:13; Luk 1:42; Psa 21:10; Psa 132:11); also of the progeny of beasts (Deu 28:51; Isa 14:29). It is used metaphorically in a variety of forms (Psa 104:13; Pro 1:31; Pro 11:30; Pro 31:16; Isa 3:10; Isa 10:12; Mat 3:8; Mat 21:41; Mat 26:29; Heb 13:15; Rom 7:4, Rom 7:5; Rom 15:28). The fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23; Eph 5:9; Jam 3:17, Jam 3:18) are those gracious dispositions and habits which the Spirit produces in those in whom he dwells and works.

Frying-pan (Heb. marhesheth , a "boiler"), a pot for boiling meat (Lev 2:7; Lev 7:9).

Fuel Almost every kind of combustible matter was used for fuel, such as the withered stalks of herbs (Mat 6:30), thorns (Psa 58:9; Ecc 7:6), animal excrements (Eze 4:12; Eze 15:4, Eze 15:6; Eze 21:32). Wood or charcoal is much used still in all the towns of Syria and Egypt. It is largely brought from the region of Hebron to Jerusalem. (See COAL.)

Fugitive Gen 4:12, Gen 4:14, a rover or wanderer (Heb. n'a ); Jdg 12:4, a refugee, one who has escaped (Heb. palit ); Kg2 25:11, a deserter, one who has fallen away to the enemy (Heb. nophel ); Eze 17:21, one who has broken away in flight (Heb. mibrah ); Isa 15:5; Isa 43:14, a breaker away, a fugitive (Heb. beriah ), one who flees away.

Fuller The word "full" is from the Anglo-Saxon fullian, meaning "to whiten." To full is to press or scour cloth in a mill. This art is one of great antiquity. Mention is made of "fuller's soap" (Mal 3:2), and of "the fuller's field" (Kg2 18:17). At his transfiguration our Lord's raiment is said to have been white "so as no fuller on earth could white them" (Mar 9:3). En-rogel (q.v.), meaning literally "foot-fountain," has been interpreted as the "fuller's fountain," because there the fullers trod the cloth with their feet.

Fuller's Soap (Heb. borith mekabbeshim i.e., "alkali of those treading cloth"). Mention is made (Pro 25:20; Jer 2:22) of nitre and also (Mal 3:2) of soap (Heb. borith ) used by the fuller in his operations. Nitre is found in Syria, and vegetable alkali was obtained from the ashes of certain plants. (See SOAP.)

Fuller's Field A spot near Jerusalem (Kg2 18:17; Isa 36:2; Isa 7:3), on the side of the highway west of the city, not far distant from the "upper pool" at the head of the valley of Hinnom. Here the fullers pursued their occupation.

Fulness (1.) Of time (Gal 4:4), the time appointed by God, and foretold by the prophets, when Messiah should appear. (2.) Of Christ (Joh 1:16), the superabundance of grace with which he was filled. (3.) Of the Godhead bodily dwelling in Christ (Col 2:9), i.e., the whole nature and attributes of God are in Christ. (4.) Eph 1:23, the church as the fulness of Christ, i.e., the church makes Christ a complete and perfect head.

Funeral Burying was among the Jews the only mode of disposing of corpses (Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 35:8, Gen 35:9, etc.). The first traces of burning the dead are found in Sa1 31:12. The burning of the body was affixed by the law of Moses as a penalty to certain crimes (Lev 20:14; Lev 21:9). To leave the dead unburied was regarded with horror (Kg1 13:22; Kg1 14:11; Kg1 16:4; Kg1 21:24, etc.). In the earliest times of which we have record kinsmen carried their dead to the grave (Gen 25:9; Gen 35:29; Jdg 16:31), but in later times this was done by others (Amo 6:10). Immediately after decease the body was washed, and then wrapped in a large cloth (Act 9:37; Mat 27:59; Mar 15:46). In the case of persons of distinction, aromatics were laid on the folds of the cloth (Joh 19:39; compare Joh 12:7). As a rule the burial (q.v.) took place on the very day of the death (Act 5:6, Act 5:10), and the body was removed to the grave in an open coffin or on a bier (Luk 7:14). After the burial a funeral meal was usually given (Sa2 3:35; Jer 16:5, Jer 16:7; Hos 9:4).

Furlong A stadium, a Greek measure of distance equal to 606 feet and 9 inches (Luk 24:13; Joh 6:19; Joh 11:18; Rev 14:20; Rev 21:16).