BATH'-KOL' (Tleb., daughter of the voice, from bath, daughter + ko/, voice). An expres sion which signifies simply a sound, and which is also used to designate an echo. Its specific application, however, in Rabbinical theology is to a manifestation of the divine will by means of a voice distinctly heard and announcing an order on the decision of some disputed point. It cor responds, therefore, to an oracle, only that the source of the voice is regarded as hidden. This usage of the term reverts ultimately to such a phrase as is found in Daniel (iv. 31) : "A voice fell from heaven." Similarly in the New Testa ment, heavenly voices are referred to at the bap tism of Jesus (Matt. iii. 17; Mark i. 11), at Ills transfiguration (Matt. xvii. 5; Mark ix. 7; Luke ix. 35), before the Passion (John xii. 2S), and in the same way Paul and Peter hear voices from heaven. According to the views expressed in the Talmud, Bath-Kols were sent to Israel from time to time throughout its history, and numer ous examples are instanced, and in theory such `voices' were regarded as decisive factors after the extinction of divine prophecy in Israel. So
it is reported that, as late as the days of Hillel and Shamnai, the differences between these two schools of interpretation of the Jewish law were decided by a Bath-Kol in favor of Hillel (Berichoth 3b). In general, however, the ten dency developed not to be guided by supposed 'voices,' and so that Bath-Rol came to be prac tically a term indicating the decision of a dis puted question by rabbis whose authority was recognized. Consult: F. \Veber, Jiidisehe The ologir, 2d ed. (Leipzig, 1897) ; Hamburger, Real Encyklopodie fib- Bibel end Talmud, II. s. h. v. (Strelitz, ISS3).
BATH (bath) METAL. An alloy of 9 parts of zinc to 32 of copper.