OMNISCIENCE OF GOD (6m-nrsh'ens Ov God) It is that perfection by which lie knows all things, and is ( t ) Infinite knowledge (Ps. cxlvi: 5). (2) Eternal, generally called fore-knowledge (Acts xv :18 ; Is. xlvi :to; Eph. i :4 ; Acts ii: 23). (3) Universal, extending to all persons, times, places, and things (Heb. iv :i3 ; Ps. cxxxix : 12). (4) Perfect, relating to what is past, present, and to come. He knows all by his own essence, and not derived from any other ; not success ively, as we do, but independently, distinctly, in fallibly (Jer. x :6, 7; Rom. xi:33). (5) This knowledge is peculiar to himself (Mark xiii : 32 ; Job xxxvi :4), and not communicable to any creature. (6) It is incomprehensible to us how God knows all things, yet it is evident that he does; for to suppose otherwise is to suppose him an imperfect being, and directly contrary to the revelation he has given of himself (Ps. cxxxix : 6; John iii :2o; Job xxviii :24; xxi :22).
This attribute of God is constantly connected in Scripture with his omnipresence, and forms a part of almost every description of that at tribute; for, as God is a Spirit, and therefore in telligent, if he is everywhere, if nothing can ex clude him, not even the tnost solid bodies, nor the Minds of intelligent beings, then are all things naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Where he acts, he is; and where he is, he perceives. He understands and consid ers things absolutely, and as they are in their own natures, powers, properties, differences, to gether with all the circumstances belonging to them. "Known unto him are all his works from the beginning of the world," rather (afeye-oh'nos, aft' aionos), from all eternity known, before they were made, in their possible, and known, now they are made, in their actual existence.
OMRI (Om'ri), (Heb. om-ree, God taught).
1. The sixth king of Israel, who reigned twelve years. He was raised to the throne by the army, while it was engaged in the siege of Gibbethon, a Levitical city in Dan, of which the Philistines had gained possession, when the news came to the camp of the death of Elah, and the usurpation of Zimri. On this, the army proclaimed their general, Omri, king of Israel. He then lost not a moment, but leaving Gibbethon in the power of the infidels, went and besieged his competitor in Tirzah. But he was no sooner delivered of this
rival (see Zimat), than another appeared in the person of Tibni, whom a part of the people had raised to the throne, probably from unwilling ness to submit to military dictation. This oc casioned a civil war, which lasted six years, and left Omri undisputed master of the throne (B. C. 882). His reign lasted six years more, and its chief event was the foundation of Samaria, which thenceforth became the capital city of the king dom of Israel (t Kings xvi :15-28). (See SA MARIA.) There is a difference between the biblical chronology and that of the Moabite stone regard ing the length of Omri's reign. The latter makes the reign of Omri and half of his son Ahab's reign to extend over forty years. The biblical chronology "ascribes to Omri a reign of only twelve years, and to Ahab's entire reign twenty two years, making the total length of bath reigns only thirty-four years. From these data of the Moabite Stone it is evident that we must extend considerably the reign of Omri. In the scheme set forth in Schrader's cuneiform Inse. and the Old Testament, p. 322, sq., Omri's reign is reck oned to be twenty-five years (B. C. goo-875), ten years being deducted from the reign of Baasha." Owen C. \Vhitehouse, Hastings' Bib. Diet., says: "These dates harmonize better with (;) the results of Assyriology, (2) with the deep im pression which Omri had produced in western Asia by his military prowess. This impression was no fleeting one, but extended over a very long period. We have clear indication of this in the fact that Palestine was called (mil) Bit Humri, or 'land of the house of Omri,' from the time of Shalmaneser II. (86o) to that of Sargon (722-7o5). The usurper Jehu is called Oil Shal mancser's black obelisk .1 a'ua abal Huntri, `Jchn son of Omri.' And no less deep was the impres sion produced in Israel and Judah. The refer. ence to the 'statutes of Omri' (Mk. vi :16), is an indication of this. his name being coupled that of his son Ahab." 2. A Benjamite of the family of Becher (1 Chron. vii:8). (B. C. about 1618.) 3. Son of Imri of the tribe of Judah (t Chron. ix:4). (B. C. after 16t8.) 4. Son of Michael and a captain in the tribe of Issachar in the time of David (t Chron. xxvii: 18). (B. C. about to17.) ON On), (Heb.1124, one, strength).