(10) (
Hebrew characters)] see on v.7 (p. 203). The general connexion suggests that
the Sabæans are already established in Yemen; although, if 'Ûzāll] be as
far N as Medina, the inference is perhaps not quite certain.
(11) (Hebrew characters) (Οὐφειρ)] known to the Israelites as a gold-producing
country (Is. 1312, Ps. 4510, Jb. 2224 2816, 1 Ch. 294 [Sir. 718]), visited by the
ships of Solomon and Hiram, which brought home not only gold and
silver and precious stones, but almug-wood, ivory, apes and (?) peacocks
(1 Ki. 928 1011. 22; cf. 2249). Whether this familiarity with the name
implies a clear notion of its geographical position may be questioned;
but it can hardly be doubted that the author of the Yahwistic Table
believed it to be in Arabia; and although no name at all resembling
Ophir has as yet been discovered in Arabia, that remains the most
probable view (see Glaser, Skizze, ii. 357-83). Of other identifications
the most important are: Abhira in India, E of the mouths of the Indus
(Lassen); (2) the Sofala coast (opposite Madagascar), behind which
remains of extensive gold-diggings were discovered around Zimbabwe
in 1871: the ruins, however, have now been proved to be of native
African origin, and not older than the 14th or 15th cent. A.D. (see D.
Randall-Maciver, Mediæval Rhodesia [1906]); (3) Apir (originally Hapir),
an old name for the ruling race in Elam, and for the coast of the
Persian Gulf around Bushire (see Homm. AHT, 2364; Hüsing, OLz, vi.
367 ff.; Jen. ZDMG, l. 246). If we could suppose the name transferred
to the opposite (Arabian) coast of the gulf, this hypothesis would
satisfy the condition required by this passage, and would agree in
particular with Glaser's localisation. For a discussion of the various
theories, see the excellent summary by Che. in EB, iii. 3513 ff.; Price,
DB, iii. 626 ff.; and Dri. Gen.2 XXVI. f., 131.
(12) (Hebrew characters)] see p. 202.
(13) (Hebrew characters) (Ἰωβαβ)] unknown. Halevy and Glaser (ii. 303) compare
the Sabæan name Yuhaibab.
The limits (probably from N to S) of the Yoḳṭanite territory are
specified in v.30; but a satisfactory explanation is impossible owing to
the uncertainty of the three names mentioned in it (Di.).—(Hebrew characters) (Μασσηε)
has been supposed to be Mesene [(Syriac characters), Maisān), within the Delta of
the Euphrates-Tigris (Ges. Th. 823; Tu.); but the antiquity of this
name is not established. Di., following G, reads (Hebrew characters) (see on 2514) in
N Arabia. This as northern limit would just include Diḳlah, if
Glaser's identification, given above, be correct.—(Hebrew characters) (Σωφηρα) is
generally acknowledged to be Ẓafār in the S of Arabia. There were
two places of the name: one in the interior of Yemen, N of Aden; the
other (now pronounced 'Iṣfār or 'Isfār) on the coast of Mahra, near
Mirbāt. The latter was the capital of the Himyarite kings (Ges. Th.
968; DB, iv. 437; EB, iv. 4370). Which of the two is here meant is
a matter of little consequence.—(Hebrew characters)] It is difficult to say whether
this is an apposition to (Hebrew characters) (Tu. al.), or a definition of (Hebrew characters), or is a
continuation of the line beyond (Hebrew characters). On the first view the 'mountain'
might be the highlands of central Arabia (Neǧd); the second is recommended
by the fact that the eastern Ẓafār lies at the foot of a high
mountain, well adapted to serve as a landmark. The third view is not
