| 释义 |
▪ I. bethel|ˈbɛθəl|
[Heb. bēth-ēl house of God.]
1. A hallowed spot; a place where God is worshipped; the pillar that marks such a place. (See Gen. xxviii. 17.)
a1617Hieron Wks. II. 241 Whence it is that such places are termed Bethels, ‘Gods houses.’ 1641Hinde J. Bruen xv. 50 Raising up an altar for Gods worship in his family, and so making it a little Bethel. 1840S. F. Adams Hymn ‘Nearer my God’ iv, Out of my stony griefs Bethels I'll raise.
2. Sometimes used (esp. by some Methodists and Baptists) like ‘Zion,’ ‘Zoar,’ ‘Bethesda,’ etc., as the designation of their chapel or meeting-house; sometimes applied fig., or as in ‘Little Bethel,’ in contempt, to any place of worship other than those of the established church. Also a place of worship for seamen (a sense apparently first used in U.S.)
1840R. Dana Bef. Mast 145 The establishment of Bethels in most of our own seaports..where the gospel is regularly preached. 1865Reader 15 Apr. 415/3 The class contemptuously described as dividing its energies between business and bethels. 1867Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Bethel, Floating Bethel, an old ship fitted up in a port for the purpose of public worship. 1875Emerson Lett. & Soc. Aims iii. 93 You may find him in some lowly Bethel, by the seaside.
▪ II. bethel, v. nonce-wd.
(See quot.)
a1733North Exam. 93 (D.) In the year 1680 Bethel and Cornish were chosen sheriffs. The former..kept no house, but lived upon chops, whence it is proverbial for not feasting to Bethel the city.
▪ III. bethel
obs. form of betel. |