Knock (ִדָּפִ, Song 5:2; "beat," Jg 19:22; κρούω, Mt 7:7; Re 3:20, etc.). " Though Orientals are very jealous of their privacy, they never knock when about to enter your room, but walk in without warning or ceremony. It is nearly impossible to teach an Arab servant to knock at your door. They give warning at the outer gate or entrance either by calling or knocking. To stand and call is a very common and respectful mode. Thus Moses commanded the holder of a pledge to stand without, and call to the owner to come forth (De 24:10). This was to avoid the violent intrusion of cruel creditors. Peter stood knocking at the outer door (Ac 12:13,16), and so did the three men sent to Joppa by Cornelius (Ac 10:17-18). The idea is that the guard over your privacy is to be placed at the entrance to your premises" (Thomson, Land and Book, i, 192 sq.). SEE HOUSE.
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