BITHYNIA (bi-thjing-a), (Gr. 1310vvta, bit hynia), a province of Asia Minor, on the Euxine Sea and the Propontis; bounded on the west by Mysia, on the south and east by Phrygia and Galatia, and on the east by Paphlagonia.
The Bithynians were a rude and uncivilized peo ple, Thracians who had colonized this part of Asia, and occupied no towns, but lived in villages (KuLoro)eis, Strabo, p. 566). That Christian con gregations were formed at an early period in Bithynia, is evident from the Apostle Peter hav ing addressed the first of his Epistles to them (I Pet. i :1). The Apostle Paul was at one time inclined to go into Bithynia with his assistants Silas and Timothy, 'but the Spirit suffered him not' (Acts xvi :7).
denoted by this word. On this subject the reader may consult Carpzov, 4115fiarat. p. 404, sq.
It however seems very doubtful whether any particular herbs were intended by so general a term as bitters; it is far more probable that it denotes whatever bitter herbs, obtainable in the place where the Passover was eaten (Ex. xii :8 ;
Num. ix :!i), might be fitly used with meat. This seems to be established by the fact that the first directions respecting the Passover were given in Egypt, where also the first Passover was cele brated; and as the esculent vegetables of Egypt are very different from those of Palestine, it is obvious that the bitter herbs used in the first celebration could scarcely have been the same as those which were afterwards employed for the same purpose in Canaan. According to the Mislina (l'esachim, ii :6), and the commentators thereon, there were five sorts of bitter herbs, any one or all of which might be used on this occasion. There is great difficulty in identifying these plants. (Buchan, i. 690.