Sheik (Arabic for elder), a title of reverence, applied chiefly to a learned man or a reputed saint, but also used sometimes as an ordinary title of respect, like the European Mr., Herr, etc., before the name. It is, however, only given to a Moslem. The term is also applied to heads of Mohammedan monasteries, and to the higher order of religious preachers. The sheik of Mecca, by virtue of his supposed descent from the prophet, levies a kind of tribute on all the pilgrims to the Kaaba.
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