in Sir. 2425, but nowhere else in OT. That it was not a familiar name to the Hebrews is shown by the topographical description which follows. On the various speculative identifications, see De. and Di., and p. 64 f. below.—the whole land of Ḥăvîlāh] The phraseology indicates that the name is used with some vagueness, and considerable latitude. In 107. 29 2518 etc., Ḥavilah seems to be a district of Arabia (see p. 202); but we cannot be sure that it bears the same meaning in the mythically coloured geography of this passage.—12. Two other products of the region are specified; but neither helps to an identification of the locality.—bĕdōlaḥ] a substance well known to the Israelites (Nu. 117), is undoubtedly the fragrant but bitter gum called by the Greeks βδέλλιον or βδέλλα. Pliny (NH, xii. 35 f.) says the best kind grew in Bactriana, but adds that it was found also in Arabia, India, Media, and Babylonia.—the šōham stone] A highly esteemed
from (
Hebrew characters) ?); but everywhere else it is wanting, and [E] omits it here.—12.
(Hebrew characters)] On metheg and hat.-pathach, see G-K. §§ 10 g, 16 e, f; Kön. i. § 10,
6 e δ (cf. 118).—(Hebrew characters)] The first instance of this Qrê perpetuum of the
Pent., where the regular (Hebrew characters) is found only Gn. 142 205 3825, Lv. 215 1139
1310. 21 1631 219, Nu. 513f.. Kön. (Lgb. i. p. 124 ff.) almost alone amongst
modern scholars still holds to the opinion that the epicene consonantal
form is genuinely archaic; but the verdict of philology and of Hex.
criticism seems decisive against that view. It must be a graphic error
of some scribe or school of scribes: whether proceeding from the original
scrip. def. (Hebrew characters) or not does not much matter (see Dri. and White's note
on Lv. 113 in SBOT, p. 25 f.).—(Hebrew characters)] [E] + (Hebrew characters).—(Hebrew characters)] Of the ancient Vns.
G alone has misunderstood the word, rendering here ὁ ἄνθραξ (red
garnet), and in Nu. 117 (the only other occurrence) κρύσταλλος. S
(Syriac characters) can only be a clerical error. That it is not a gem is
proved by the absence of (Hebrew characters).—(Hebrew characters)] G ὁ λίθος ὁ πράσινος (leek-*green
stone); other Gk. Vns. ὄνυξ, and so V (onychinus); S (Syriac characters),
TO (Hebrew characters). Philology has as yet thrown no light on the word, though
a connexion with Bab. sâmtu is probable. Myres (EB, 4808 f.) makes
the interesting suggestion that it originally denoted malachite, which
is at once striped and green, and that after malachite ceased to be
valued tradition wavered between the onyx (striped) and the beryl
(green). Petrie, on the other hand (DB, iv. 620), thinks that in early
times it was green felspar, afterwards confused with the beryl. It is
at least noteworthy that Jen. (KIB, vi. 1, 405) is led on independent
grounds to identify sâmtu with malachite. But is malachite found in any
