Akiba a learned Jewish rabbi of the second century. He was president of the seminary at Bene Berak (Jos 19:45), near Jamnia. As a teacher he wielded great influence, especially in developing and diffusing the Talmudic learning and the Cabbala. Among his scholars were Rabbi Meir, one of the originators of the Mishna, and Rabbi S. ben-Jochai, author of the Cabbalistic work Zohar. He is said to have joined the rebel Barchochebas, and to have been taken and flayed by the Romans in his 120th year. See Jost, Geschichte d. Israeliten, p. 252; Furst, Bib. Jud.1.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More