Spider

The trust of the hypocrite is compared to the spider’s web or house (Job 8:14). It is said of the wicked by Isaiah that they “weave the spider’s web” (59:5), i.e., their works and designs are, like the spider’s web, vain and useless. The Hebrew word here used is ’akkabish, “a swift weaver.” In Prov. 30:28 a different Hebrew word (semamith) is used. It is rendered in the Vulgate by stellio, and in the Revised Version by “lizard.” It may, however, represent the spider, of which there are, it is said, about seven hundred species in Palestine.

The Hebrew word ’accabish in (Job 8:24; Isaiah 59:5) is correctly rendered “spider.” Put semamith is wrongly translated “spider” in (Proverbs 30:28) it refers probably to some kind of lizard. (But “there are many species of spider in Palestine: some which spin webs, like the common garden spider; some which dig subterranean cells and make doors in them, like the well-known trap-door spider of southern Europe; and some which have no web, but chase their prey upon the ground, like the hunting-and the wolf-spider.”—Wood’s Bible Animals.)

SPI'DER, a well-known little creature of very singular structure and habits. The thinness and frailty of its web are made emblematic of a false hope and of the schemes of wicked men. Job 8:14; Isa 59:5. Another word thus rendered in Prov 30:28 has been thought by some of the best authorities to refer to the gecko, a kind of lizard which is able to run on perpendicular walls, or even on an inverted surface. See Ferret. But so skilfully does the spider use her feet in making her web and climbing upon it and upon walls that they may well be termed hands, and thus our present translation is rendered very plausible. The spider's spinning-organs serve as both hands and eyes. Spiders are abundant in Palestine, as elsewhere in the world.

SPI'DER, a well-known little creature of very singular structure and habits. The thinness and frailty of its web are made emblematic of a false hope and of the schemes of wicked men. Job 8:14; Isa 59:5. Another word thus rendered in Prov 30:28 has been thought by some of the best authorities to refer to the gecko, a kind of lizard which is able to run on perpendicular walls, or even on an inverted surface. See Ferret. But so skilfully does the spider use her feet in making her web and climbing upon it and upon walls that they may well be termed hands, and thus our present translation is rendered very plausible. The spider's spinning-organs serve as both

hands and eyes. Spiders are abundant in Palestine, as elsewhere in the world.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Any one of numerous species of arachnids comprising the order Araneina. Spiders have the mandibles converted into poison fangs, or falcers. The abdomen is large and not segmented, with two or three pairs of spinnerets near the end, by means of which they spin threads of silk to form cocoons, or nests, to protect their eggs and young. Many species spin also complex webs to entrap the insects upon which they prey. The eyes are usually eight in number (rarely six), and are situated on the back of the cephalothorax. See Illust. under Araneina.

2. Any one of various other arachnids resembling the true spiders, especially certain mites, as the red spider (see under Red).

3. An iron pan with a long handle, used as a kitchen utensil in frying food. Originally, it had long legs, and was used over coals on the hearth.

4. A trevet to support pans or pots over a fire.

5. A skeleton, or frame, having radiating arms or members, often connected by crosspieces; as, a casting forming the hub and spokes to which the rim of a fly wheel or large gear is bolted; the body of a piston head; a frame for strengthening a core or mold for a casting, etc. Spider ant. (Zoöl.) Same as Solitary ant, under Solitary. -- Spider crab (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of maioid crabs having a more or less triangular body and ten long legs. Some of the species grow to great size, as the great Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira Kempferi), measuring sometimes more than fifteen feet across the legs when they are extended. -- Spider fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of parasitic dipterous insects of the family Hippoboscidæ. They are mostly destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of birds and the hair of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick. -- Spider hunter (Zoöl.), any one of several species of East Indian sunbirds of the genus Arachnothera. -- Spider lines, filaments of a spider's web crossing the field of vision in optical instruments; -- used for determining the exact position of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires, silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed, are called spider lines. -- Spider mite. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of parasitic mites of the genus Argas and allied genera. See Argas. (b) Any one of numerous small mites injurious to plants. -- Spider monkey (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of South American monkeys of the genus Ateles, having very long legs and a long prehensile tail. -- Spider orchis (Bot.), a European orchidaceous plant (Ophrys aranifera), having flowers which resemble spiders. -- Spider shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.