AFRICA. This `quarter of the world' is not mentioned as such by any general name in Scrip ture, although some of its regions are indicated. It is thought by some, however, that Africa, or, as much of it as was then known, is denoted by ' the land of Ham' in several of the Psalms. But we are inclined to think that the context rather restricts this designation to Egypt. Whether Africa was really `the land of Ham,' that is, was peopled by the descendants of Ham, is quite another question. [HAM.]—J. K.
AGABUS ("A-yapos ; either from the Hebrew n)i1, a locust, or 213,, to love), the name of `a TT prophet,' supposed to have been one of the seventy disciples of Christ. He, with others, came from to Antioch, while Paul and Barnabas (A. D. 43) were there, and predicted an approaching famine, which actually occurred the following year. Some writers suppose that the famine was general; but most modern commentators unite in under standing that the large terms pf the original, "OX4v riJv obcovuenv, apply not to the whole world, nor even to the whole Roman empire, but, as in Luke ii. i, to Judsea only. Statements respecting four
famines, which occurred in the reign of Claudius, are produced by the commentators who support this view ; and as all the countries put together would not make up a tenth part of even the Roman empire, they think it plain that the words must be understood to apply to that famine which, in the fourth year of Claudius, overspread Palestine. The poor Jews, in general, were then relieved by the Queen of Adiabene, who sent to purchase corn in Egypt for them (Joseph. .4 /dig. XX. 2, 6) ; and for the relief of the Christians in that country contribu tions were raised by the brethren at Antioch, and conveyed to Jerusalem by Paul and Barnabas (Acts xi. 27-3o). Many years after, this same Agabus met Paul at Cmsarea, and warned him of the sufferings which awaited him if he prosecuted his journey to Jerusalem (Acts xxi. so, i 1). [See Baumgarten, 2115ostalic History, vol. i. 300, vol. ii. 396, E. T.]---J. K.