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Dagon
A Philistine god. Recent evidence indicates that he was the
grain god responsible for fertility
Dan
One of the twelve Hebrew tribes originally placed between the
Philistines and Judah. They migrated north and established the
city of Dan as the northern border of Israel.
Danite
The name of a member of the tribe of Dan.
David's City
The Jerusalem of Davids time, located on a narrow strip of land
(Mount Moriah), was about ten acres in size and populated by
approximately 1,500 people. The city was naturally defended by
the Kidron Valley to the east and the Tyropean Valley to the
west. It was originally named Zion and received fresh water from
the Spring of Gihon.
Dead Sea
An inland lake in the Great Rift Valley known as the Salt Sea;
50 miles long and 10 miles wide, the salt content is five times
more concentrated than the ocean and is uninhabitable by marine
life. The Essene community lived in the wilderness along the
Dead Sea.
Dead Sea Scrolls
Commentaries or instruction manuals for the Essene community
discovered in 1947 by the Dead Sea in caves near the ruins of
Khirbet Qumran. They provide valuable insights into the beliefs
of one religious community from the time of Jesus; and contain
many references showing common themes, language, and beliefs
with the teachings of Jesus, John the Baptist, and the early
church. They help verify the most accurate texts of the Old
Testament. Though these scrolls are 1,000 years older than other
Hebrew manuscripts, there are few differences, and they indicate
the miracle of Gods protection of his Word throughout history.
Decapolis
Ten Hellenistic cities established at the time of Alexander the
Great east of the Sea of Galilee and north of Perea. Later, the
Roman emperor Pompey organized the cities into a league named
the Decapolis, largely populated by Roman army troops. In one
ancient Jewish belief, the area was populated by pagans Joshua
had driven out of the Promised Land (Josh. 3) and became "off
limits" to Jews who followed God's law. In the New Testament, it
refers to some cities where Jesus ministered to Gentiles and
demonstrated his willingness to bring his message to everyone
who needed to hear his words. The 10 cities included Pella,
Damascus, Philadelphia, Canatha, Dium, Scythopolis (Beth Shean),
Hippus, Gadara, Raphana, and Gerasa.
Defense Tower
Scholars debate the importance of the large tower that once
stood in Qumran because it was essentially a religious community
of separatists who lived in a peaceful, almost monastic
existence. The Essenes did, however, believe in the Messiah's
imminent arrival and that a great battle would ensue between the
sons of light (themselves) and the sons of darkness (followers
of evil). The tower most likely provided protection against
bandits o other less "military" threats.
Demeter
Greek god of earth. Daughter of Cronus and Rhea.
Demon
A powerful evil spirit that worked for Satan. Demons can
sometimes control people. But Jesus has power over the demons
and can make them come out of people (like he did at Susita).
Dereshah
A short sermon offered by the reader of the Torah or Haftarah in
the synagogue. Any adult member of the community was eligible to
speak the sermon, and it was frequently quite short (Jesus spoke
only a few wordsLuke 4:21).
Diana
Roman god of marriage, chastity, hunting, and moonlight. Twin
sister of Apollo, daughter of Zeus and Leto.
Diolkos
From Greek, "to haul," road over which sailors hauled goods from
one harbor to another.
Dionysus
Greek god of wine, fertility, and vegetation, god of the
theater. Son of Zeus and Semele, the Theban princess.
Dipteros
Temple surrounded with two rows of columns.
Disciple
The Hebrew word for disciple is talmid. This word stresses the
relationship between rabbi (teacher or master) and disciple
(student). A talmid of Jesus' day would give up his entire life
in order to be with his teacher. The disciple didn't only seek
to know what the teacher knew, as is usually the case today. It
was not enough just to know what the rabbi said, but the
foremost goal of any talmid was to become like the rabbi and do
what the rabbi did.
Dome of the Rock
The Muslim mosque built in the seventh centurion the Temple
Mount. The presence of this mosque makes it impossible to
excavate the Mount.
Drusilla
The daughter of Agrippa l.