The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

celebrates with most of the ancient fertility rites. See Halloween, Wicca, Druids, Magi, and New Age. 1279. Samuel—The first official prophet of Israel who was recognized after the tenure of Joshua. Samuel was the son of Hannah and was given to the temple to be groomed by Eli. Samuel’s prophetic occupation included judging Israel as a shaphat, managing the army and its wars, training up-and-coming prophets, and spiritually installing kings. He was responsible for the development and legislation of the religious system and the civic life of the nation. 1280. Sanctuary—The room in the center of a temple that is reserved for sacred gatherings and communion with the god of a religion. Exodus 15:17; Numbers 3:31; Psalm 78:54; Hebrews 8:2, 9:1–2, and 13:11. 1281. Sand—Symbolic of instability, due to the lack of a foundation. Sand represents what is innumerable and so immeasurable. Sand in visions and dreams seeks to convey the idea of something about to appear that cannot be counted. On a seashore it applies to something about to happen on earth, in the realms of humanity that is vast and massive. Sand, when encountered prophetically, represents multiplicity on the one hand, and instability on the other. Sand on a beach speaks to recreation, sun worship, idolatry, playfulness. It can in these contexts refer to vacationing where serenity and peace are provided. See Dirt. 1282. Sandal—Ancient object of pledges, veracity, and accord. Used to solidify contractual negotiations. 1283. Sanhedrin—“Seated together” is the original meaning, which is found in the academic dictionary. It also means assembly session; Israel’s high council; court. It is presumed the idea springs from the seventy elders Moses ordained in Israel’s early formative years. However, it found its fulfillment in Greece under the Hebrew culture that assimilated there. The Greek word for it is gerousia which means eldership. The Sanhedrin was an aristocratic body headed by an ancestral high priest. Sanhedrin is also the word for the twenty-four elders of creation identified in Revelation 4:4, 10. The work of the Sanhedrin is administrative, judicial, legislative, and advisory. A similar body presided over early Christian assemblies. The Jewish Sanhedrin was controlled by the Hasmoneans, who were the princes, along with the high priests. Its members consisted of the high priest, elders, tribal family heads, and scribes who handled legal assessments.