Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Nigroni, Giuio a learned Italian ecclesiastic, was born in 1553 at Genoa. At eighteen years of age he entered the Society of Jesus, taught rhetoric, philosophy, and theology, and became successively prefect of studies in the College of Milan, rector of the colleges of Verona, Cremona, and Genoa, and superior of the monastic house of … Continue reading “Nigroni, Giuio”

Nigrinus, Bartholomeus a Roman Catholic divine, who flourished in Poland near the middle of the 17th century, was born of Socinian parents, and having been successively a Lutheran, and a minister of the Helvetian confession at Dantzic, finally obtained much influence at the Polish court under king Vladislav IV, after having accepted the Romish faith. … Continue reading “Nigrinus, Bartholomeus”

Nigrante, Tectam Pallio is the beginning of an evening hymn (hymnus vespertinus) by Magnus Felix Ennodius (q.v.), bishop of Pavia (Ticinum), where he died July 17, 521. Besides a number of theological works, he also wrote poems, among which are some hymns, which were published by Schott and Sirmond (Paris, 1611), and which are also … Continue reading “Nigrante, Tectam Pallio”

nigra, cappa (Latin: choir cape; black cape) A long black mantle, commonly with a hood. It was worn in choir during the Divine Office by the clergy of cathedral churches and by many religious, and is still retained by the Dominicans during winter months. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

nights of the soul The active and passive purifications of the soul. Before reaching the light of perfect union, the soul passes through two nights, the night of sense and the night of the mind or spirit. The first is bitter, for the soul must deprive itself of all worldly pleasures, which is as night … Continue reading “nights of the soul”

Nightingale, Joseph an English dissenting divine, was born in Lancashire in 1775. He became a Wesleyan minister at Macclesfield, and soon after settled at London, where he supported himself principally by his literary exertions. At the time when he published his Portraiture of Methodismi (Lond. 1807, 8vo)in many points a caricature he had become a … Continue reading “Nightingale, Joseph”

Nighthawk Nighthawk. This is another bird mentioned in the Bible only on the list of unclean birds (Lev 11:16; Deu 14:15). No specific characteristics are given which might help to identify the bird. Nighthawks, also called nightjars, are found in the Holy Land, but they are not predators. There is no obvious reason why nighthawks … Continue reading “Nighthawk”

night watch One of the vigils or four ancient divisions of the night, during which public or official prayer was offered in the earliest days of the Church. The Matins and Lauds of the Divine Office most probably represent these watches. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary Night-Watch (Lych-wake, death-watch, or vigil). It was the custom for … Continue reading “Night-Watch”

Night-vision ( , Isa 29:7, etc.; Chald. , Dan 2:19, etc.). The perplexing but fascinating subject of the visions of sleep has in all ages attracted observation and speculation; but the laws which govern the countless images and fancied experiences of this realm of dream are even now imperfectly understood. The subject owes its importance, … Continue reading “Night-vision”

Night-monster occurs in the margin of the Auth. Ver. at Isa 34:14, as the rendering of the Hebrew lilith’ (), derived, from layil (), night. The text has screech-owl, but the marginal reading is preferable. The word doubtless refers to the night-specters or ghosts, supposed by superstitious Hebrews to frequent the desert. The Sept. renders … Continue reading “Night-Monster”