Equal (Hastings' Dictionary)

1. As adj. in the sense of ' impartial,' 'fair' ( = Lat. ceqiius), Ps 17' 'Let thine eyes be- hold the things tiiat are equal ' (o-if'-p, either the obj. of the vb. hence AV, and RV ' Let thine eyes look upon equity ' ; or, more probably, an adv. [ = oi5^-;:9] as Del. and RVm '"Thine eyes behold with equity ' ). This meaning of ' equal ' is else- where in OT found only in Ezk ( IS^""- a<i.u 331761, :o_ Ileb. |:n-, lit. ' is proportioned ' or ' adjusted ') in ruf. to God's dealings. In Apocr. it is found 2 Mac 13"* ' sware to all eiiual conditions ' (t4 SUoia, R\' ' to acknowledge all their rights ') ; and in NT, Col 4' ' Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal ' (t-Jjk latmrra, RVm ' equality,' Lightft. ' equity,' ' fairness '). Tindale in Vrol. to Genesis, says ' that Joseph brought the Egyptians into soch subjection wold seme unto some a very cruel demle, howbeit it was a very equal waye ' ; and in ' The Obedience of a Christian M^an ' ( If 'orA-.?, i. 209) he says, ' it is impossilile llmt a man should be a righteous, an egal, or an indillerent judge i" 732 EE ERI his own cause — lusts and appetites so blind us.' Cf. Milton, PL X. 748— • Afl mv will Concurred not to my being, it were but right Aild equal to reduce me to my dust.' 2. As subst. in the sense of a contemporary, one of the same generation ( = L,at. mqituli-i). Gal I" 'And protited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation ' ((ri/i-i/XiKiamjs, KV ' beyond many of mine own age '). In the argt. to Samson Aqonistes, Samson is ' visited by certain Iriends and equals of his tribe.' In Ps 55", how- ever, 'equal' is one of my own rank, as AVm Heb. "?-i;;| fux, a man after my valuation, i.e. esteemed as I am esteemed. So Elj-ot, ii. 417, 'to acquire by tlie executyng of iustice nat only an opinion of tyrannye amonge tlie people, and con- sequently haterede, but also malignitie amonge his equalles and superiours.' 3. As verb— (1) to 'come np to,' 'match,' Job 2817. i» < xhe gold and the crystal cannot equal it ' ; ' The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it ' (t^h) ; and (2) to ' compare,' La 2" ' What thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem ? what shall I equal to thee ? ' (^5''ni;f'S nf ). J. Hastings. ER (ly).- 1. The eldest son of Judah by his Canaanitish wife, the daughter of Shua. He was married to Tamar, who was apparently also of Canaanite origin. For wickedness, the nature of which is not described, ' J" slew him ' (Gn 38'', Nu 26i»). 2. A son of ' Shelah the son of Judah ' (1 Ch 4"). 3. The name of 'Er the son of Jesus ' appears in the genealogy of our Lord (Lk 3^) in the 7th generation before Zerubbabel, and the 15th after David. H. E. Ryle.