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(צָחִק, tsachak, Ex 32:6). This word, in addition to the sense of joking or sporting (Ge 19:14), may also be understood of amusements, accompanied with music and singing, in which sense it may be understood in Jg 16:25. Though we have no particular mention in the Old Testament of such matters, we may reasonably suppose that some of the games practiced by the ancient Egyptians were likewise known to the Hebrews; these appear, from the monuments, to have been mock combats, races, gymnastic exercises, singing, dancing and games of chance (Wilkinson, Anc. Egyptians, 1, 189 sq.). In the declining period of Jewish history the athletic games of the Greeks were introduced and there were gymnasia, or schools of exercise in Jerusalem, where they practiced wrestling, racing, quoits, etc. (1 Macc. 5, 16; 2 Mance. 4:13-15). For the Grecian games of strength and skill so often alluded to by Paul, SEE GAMES. SEE SPORT.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More