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{Judges 15:4} And Samson 8123 went y3212 z8799 x1980 and caught 3920 z8799 three 7969 hundred 3967 foxes, 7776 and took 3947 z8799 firebrands, 3940 and turned 6437 z8686 tail 2180 to x413 tail, 2180 and put 7760 z8799 a 259 firebrand 3940 in the midst 8432 between x996 two 8147 tails. 2180
caught three:
Dr. Kennicott and others contend, that for shualim, "foxes," we should read shoalim, "handfuls," or sheaves of corn. But:
1. The word lachad, rendered caught, never signifies simply to get or take but always to catch, seize, or take by assault or stratagem.
2. Though the proposed alteration is sanctioned by seven manuscripts, yet all the versions are on the other side.
3. Admitting this alteration, it will be difficult to prove that the word shoal means either a sheaf or a handful of corn in the ear, and straw. It occurs but thrice in Scriptures ("And Benhadadª sentª° unto¹ him, and said,ª° The godsª do¹ so²°¹ unto me, and more¹ also,²°¹ if¹ the dustª of Samariaª shall sufficeª° for handfulsª for all¹ the peopleª that¹ followª me." {1Kg 20:10} + "Who¹ hath measuredª° the watersª in the hollow of his hand,ª and meted outª° heavenª with the span,ª and comprehendedª° the dustª of the earthª in a measure,ª and weighedª° the mountainsª in scales,ª and the hillsª in a balance?ª" {Isa 40:12} + "And mine handª shall be¹ upon¹ the prophetsª that see²¹ vanity,ª and that divineª° lies:ª they shall not¹ be¹ in the assemblyª of my people,ª neither¹ shall they be writtenª° in the writingª of the houseª of Israel,ª neither¹ shall they enterª° into¹ the landª of Israel;ª and ye shall knowª° that¹ I¹ [am] the Lordª GOD.ª" {Ezk 13:9}): where it evidently means as much as can be contained in the hollow of the hand; but when handfuls of grain in the shock, or sheaves are intended, very different words are used. See note on "And when she was risen upª° to glean,ª° Boazª commandedª°¹ his young men,ª saying,ª° Let her gleanª° even¹ among¹ the sheaves,ª and reproachª° her not:¹ ... And let fallª° also¹ [some] of¹ the handfulsª of purposeª° for her, and leaveª° [them], that she may gleanª° [them], and rebukeª° her not.¹" {Rth 2:15-16}, etc.
4. It is not hinted that Samson collected them alone, or in one day; he might have employed many hands and several days in the work.
5. The word shual properly denotes the jackal, which travellers describe as an animal in size between the wolf and fox, gregarious, as many as 200 having been seen together, and the most numerous of any in eastern countries; so that Samson might have caught many of them together in nets. "They shall fallª° by¹¹ the sword:ª² they shall be¹ a portionª for foxes.ª" {Psa 63:10} + "Takeª° us the foxes,ª the littleª foxes,ª that spoilª° the vines:ª for our vinesª [have] tender grapes.ª" {Sgs 2:15} + "Because of¹ the mountainª of Zion,ª which¹ is desolate,ª° the foxesª walkª° upon it." {Lam 5:18}
firebrands:
or, torches

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