of her shepherd lover to “cylinders of gold, filled with chrysolite.” (Song of Sol. 5:14) Similarly, Daniel used chrysolite to describe the body of “a certain man clothed in linen” who came to tell the prophet what would befall his people “in the final part of the days.” (Dan. 10:5, 6, 14) In his vision of New Jerusalem, the apostle John observed that the seventh foundation of the city’s wall was chrysolite and engraved upon it was the name of one of the “twelve apostles of the Lamb.”—Rev. 21:2, 10, 14, 20; see JEWELS AND PRECIOUS STONES.

CHRYSOPRASE

(chrysʹo·prase).

A semiprecious, translucent gemstone, an apple-green variety of chalcedony. The color is caused by a trace of nickel oxide in the mineral. Superstitious persons once believed that the stone possessed power to cure eye diseases.

The only Biblical reference to chrysoprase is in Revelation, where it is mentioned as constituting the tenth foundation of the wall of “the holy city, New Jerusalem.”—Rev. 21:2, 20.

CHUB

An unidentified people included among those allied with Egypt. Chub is listed with Ethiopia, Put, Lud and “the sons of the land of the covenant” (who may refer to Israelites who fled to Egypt after the murder of Gedaliah in 607 B.C.E.), all of whom are destined to “fall by the very sword.” (Ezek. 30:4, 5) Some commentators think that Chub refers to Libya, and it is so rendered by some translations.—LXX; RS.

CHUZA

(Chuʹza) [little jug].

Herod Antipas’ “man in charge,” possibly of the domestic affairs. Chuza’s wife Joanna ministered to Jesus.—Luke 8:3; see JOANNA.

CILICIA

(Ci·liʹcia).

A relatively small and narrow region of SE Asia Minor. On the S lay the Mediterranean Sea, to the W was Pamphylia, on the N the Taurus mountain range separated it from Lycaonia and Cappadocia, and to the E the Amanus mountain range (which forms a southern branch of the Taurus) divided it off from Syria. These, at least, were its boundaries during much of its ancient history. Its name is believed to come from the Assyrian Hilakku, found in inscriptions of the ninth century B.C.E.

Basically the region was divided into two natural sections: the western, called Cilicia Tracheia (Cilicia the Rugged) and the eastern, called Cilicia Pedias (Plain Cilicia). Cilicia Tracheia was a wild plateau region of the Taurus Mountains, rich in forest land. Its rugged seacoast, broken by rocky headlands, provided numerous sheltered harbors and inlets. From early times it was a haven for robbers and for pirates, who preyed on the coastal shipping. Cilicia Pedias embraced the broad coastal plain, a well-watered, extremely fertile section. In Roman times this plain was dotted with some sixteen semiautonomous cities, the most prominent of which was Tarsus, the birthplace of Saul (Paul).—Acts 21:39; 22:3; 23:34.

In addition to such products as wheat, flax and fruits, a principal product of Cilicia was its famous goats’ hair, known as cilicium in Roman times. Its use in the manufacture of tents may partly account for Paul’s early experience as a tentmaker.

Cilicia occupied a strategic position, both militarily and commercially. The principal trade route from Syria passed through the Syro-Cilician Gates, a high pass through the Amanus range about twenty miles (32.2 kilometers) N of Antioch, then traversed Cilicia to Tarsus and ascended the Taurus Mountains to the Cilician Gates, the sharp defiles or clefts that give access into central and western Asia Minor. These narrow passes provided easily defensible borders. Yet military forces of many nations marched over this route. Assyria and Persia successively dominated Cilicia, and in 333 B.C.E. Macedonian Alexander’s forces passed through the Cilician Gates and defeated the Persian army at the battle of Issus.

Under the Romans, Cilicia did not become an organized province until 67 B.C.E., when Pompey subdued the pirates of western Cilicia. In 27 B.C.E. the province was divided, part of the western portion being included with Cappadocia and part being turned over to the rule of local dynasties, while the eastern part was combined with Syria and Phoenicia as one province. It was not until the time of Vespasian (72 C.E.) that the eastern and western sections of Cilicia were reunited in a single province. So, during the early part of apostolic times there was an especially close relationship between Cilicia and Syria, and this seems to be reflected at Acts 15:23, 41 and Galatians 1:21, some authorities suggesting that “Cilicia” in these texts refers to Cilicia Pedias. On the other hand, when Acts 27:5 says that Paul sailed “through the open sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia” on his way to be tried in Rome, “Cilicia” there apparently includes the entire region of eastern and western Cilicia.

Jews from Cilicia were among those disputing with Stephen prior to his death. (Acts 6:9) By about 49 C.E. there were already congregations in Cilicia to whom the Christian council in Jerusalem sent a letter. (Acts 15:23) The route for Paul’s second and third missionary tours would naturally take him through Cilicia and the Cilician Gates.

CINNAMON

[Heb., qin·na·mohnʹ, Gr., kin·naʹmo·mon].

The cinnamon tree is part of the laurel family, to which both the cassia and the camphor trees belong. It grows best in light, sandy, moist soil, and is abundant in Ceylon and Java. The Hebrew name is possibly of foreign origin, and the product seems to have been an import into Palestine.

The cinnamon grows to a maximum height of about thirty feet (9.1 meters), has a smooth ash-colored bark and wide-spreading branches. The lancehead-shaped evergreen leaves are green on top but white on the bottom and measure about eight or nine inches (20.3 to 22.8 centimeters) in length and about two inches (5 centimeters) in width. The flowers are small, white or yellowish and grow in clusters. The white or grayish outer bark is almost odorless and of little value. The commercial cinnamon is obtained from the darker inner bark. This is done by first making two lengthwise incisions on each side of a branch with a sharp knife. The cylinder of bark or “quill” is then removed and tied in bundles of about a pound (453 grams) and marketed. Golden-yellow cinnamon oil is obtained by soaking small pieces of bark in seawater and then distilling this solution. It has a very agreeable, aromatic odor and is used as a perfume.

Cinnamon was used in the preparation of the holy anointing oil as one of the “choicest perfumes.” (Ex. 30:23) It was sprinkled on beds (Prov. 7:17), was figuratively used in describing the beloved Shulammite girl (Song of Sol. 4:13, 14), and is included among the products the traveling merchants sold to “Babylon the Great” before her destruction.—Rev. 18:11-13.

CIRCUMCISION

Removal of the prepuce or foreskin from the male penis or the clitoris or internal labia of females. Circumcision literally means “cutting around” and is a relatively simple operation when performed on infant boys, but more painful when done to adult men. (Gen. 34:24, 25) Circumcision of females, although practiced among certain pagan societies, sometimes in a most brutal fashion, is not mentioned in the Scriptures.

Jehovah God made circumcision mandatory for Abraham in 1919 B.C.E., a year before Isaac’s birth. God said: “This is my covenant that you men will keep. . . :Every male of yours must get circumcised.” Every male in Abraham’s household of both his descendants and dependents was included, and so