n of
salvation_ to the world. The Greeks often changed the nu final into sigma:
hence, from keren they formed [Greek: keras, keratos]: and from thence they
deduced the words [Greek: kratos, krateros]: also [Greek: koiranos, kreon],
and [Greek: karenon]; all relating to strength and eminence. Gerenius,
[Greek: Gerenios], applied to Nestor, is an Amonian term, and signifies a
princely and venerable person. The Egyptian Crane, for its great services,
was held in high honour, being sacred to the God of light, Abis ([Hebrew:
AB ASH]) or, as the Greeks expressed it, Ibis; from whence the name was
given. It was also called Keren and Kerenus: by the Greeks [Greek:
Geranos], the noble bird, being most honoured of any. It was a title of the
Sun himself: for Apollo was named Craneues, and [182]Carneues; which was no
other than Cereneues, the supreme Deity, the Lord of light: and his festival
styled Carnea, [Greek: Karneia], was an abbreviation of [Greek: Kereneia],
Cerenea. The priest of Cybele in Phrygia was styled Carnas; which was a
title of the Deity, whom he served; and of the same purport as Carneus
above.

OPH.

Oph signifies a serpent, and was pronounced at times and expressed, Ope,
[183]Oupis, Opis, Ops; and, by Cicero, [184]Upis. It was an emblem of the
Sun; and also of time and eternity. It was worshipped as a Deity, and
esteemed the same as Osiris; by others the same as Vulcan. Vulcanus
AEgyptiis Opas dictus est, eodem Cicerone [185]teste. A serpent was also, in
the Egyptian language, styled Ob, or Aub: though it may possibly be only a
variation of the term above. We are told by Orus Apollo, that the basilisk,
or royal serpent, was named Oubaios: [186][Greek: Oubaios, ho estin
Hellenisti Basiliskos]. It should have been rendered [Greek: Oubos], Oubus;
for [Greek: Oubaios] is a possessive, and not a proper name. The Deity, so
denominated, was esteemed prophetic; and his temples were applied to as
oracular. This idolatry is alluded to by Moses,[187] who, in the name of
God, forbids the Israelites ever to inquire of those daemons, Ob and Ideone:
which shews that it was of great antiquity. The symbolical worship of the
serpent was, in the first ages, very extensive; and was introduced into all
the mysteries, wherever celebrated: [188][Greek: Para panti ton nomizomenon
par' humin Theon OPHIS sumbolon mega kai musterion anagraphetai]. It is
remarkable, that wherever the Amonians founded any places of worship, and
introduced