Brewer's: Paradise

The Greeks used this word to denote the extensive parks and pleasure-grounds of the Persian kings.

“An old word, `paradise,' which the Hebrews had borrowed from the Persians, and which at first designated the `parks of the Achaemenidae,' summed up the general dream.” —Renan: Life of Jesus, xi.

Upper and Lower Paradise.

The rabbins say there is an earthly or lower paradise under the equator, divided into seven dwellings, and twelve times ten thousand miles square. A column reaches from this paradise to the upper or heavenly one, by which the souls mount upwards after a short sojourn on the earthly one.

The ten dumb animals admitted to the Moslem's paradise are:

(1) The dog Kratim, which accompanied the Seven Sleepers.

(2) Balaam's ass, which spoke with the voice of a man to reprove the disobedient prophet.

(3) Solomon's ant, of which he said, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard ...”

(4) Jonah's whale.

(5) The ram caught in the thicket, and offered in sacrifice in lieu of Isaac.

(6) The calf of Abraham.

(7) The camel of Saleb.

(8) The cuckoo of Belkis.

(9) The ox of Moses.

(10) Mahomet's mare, called Borak.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894