The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

It further signifies preparation for war and work. It is an emblem of readiness for duty, task, or assignment. Worn as a part of an official uniform, such as for battle, it indicates military courage. It also speaks to self-control and restraint. Jeremiah 13; Acts 21:11; Matthew 3:4; 2 Kings 1:8; 1 Samuel 18:4; Ephesians 6:14. Refer to Girdle. 184. Belt, Leather—As with all animal skin attire, in addition to being the only reliable means of durable clothing, the skin also held conquest significance. To wear the skin of an animal back then came from having conquered the animal in a contest to the death—before stores and manufacturing people had to hunt for their food and clothing. To wear the skin of certain animals signified the courage and victory of the wearer. See Animal Skins. 185. Berith—The word means covenant. Related to the god of the Shechemites. Judges 9:46. 186. Beryl—An emerald stone. Exodus 28:20; Revelation 21:20. Also Ezekiel 1:16 and 10:9. 187. Bestiality—The most debased of the lewd fertility rites condemned in Scripture. Bestiality is the copulation of a human with an animal. Among God’s obvious concern over the health and hygiene of the practitioner is the misuse of human authority over animals. Above this is the Creator’s concern for His dispensation and allocation of human seed and the lives, destinies, meant to come into the world. Leviticus 18:23 nas: “Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion.” Leviticus 20:15–16: “And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” The idea of copulating with an animal was to provoke the animal’s increased powers of conception. It is one of the many abominable fertility rituals in the ancient world. Peculiarly, bestiality, witchcraft, and the other New Age religious rituals tend to flourish under the same popularity. 188. Bestowed—Originally, this was an old nautical term for the property and possessions stored on a ship setting sail for a remote destination. The people of God are vessels of Christ’s Spirit, who bestows upon them His gifts, callings, and destinies, which are appropriately classified by this term. It also refers to that which is carried in a hidden vessel or compartment transported for use at a later time, usually in a distant location. Symbolically, the word applies to what