The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-29
BIBLICAL EXPOSITION.
BY REV. S. HUTCHINGs.

Though ye have lain among the pots, yet shall
ye be as the wings OF dove covered with silver and
her feathers with yellow gold"-PsALM 6S: 1S.
If our translation hare lam be correct,
and the comparison be between the previous
and future condition of the Jews, the refer
euce may be to their state of servitude and
oppression in Egypt as cOntraSted with their
prosperity and glory in Palestine, especially
in the reigns of David and Solomon. The
Septuagint renders it, "Though ye have
slept in kitchens" with allusion, perhaps, to
their low and menial condition in Egypt
Scott says, Israel making bricks in Egypt,
and lodging like slaves between the rows of
the kilns or furnaces, being covered with clay
and smoke, appeared very mean" The
word rendered pots in the dual form occurs
only here and in Ezek. 40: 43, where it is
translated hOoks-in the margin, two hearth
stones. GeSenius renders it stalls. a. e.,
places in the tempe-court where the victims
for sacrifice were fastened.
But it is thought that the reference is to
the future, and instead of pots the name
shephattain is rendered borders. Thus Alex
ander translates the passage, "When ye
shall lie between the borders, ye shall be as
the wings of dove" etc., comparing the
peaceful rest in the borders or limits of the
promised land to the proverbial beauty of
gentle dove. De Witte renders it, "When
ye rest between the cattle stalls" the same
idea of quiet as of cattle lying down to rest.
Tholuck renders it, +" When you shall again
rest within your Stone-borders, 4. e., within
the limits of your own country, you shall be
like the wings of dove"
Alexander says, "The common version
Though ye haze laid among the pOts) is justi-
fed neither by rabbinical tradition nor the
ancient versions" Barnes, in reference to
the difficulty of this clause, well remarks,
Sc The wonder is not that, in book so large
az the Bible, and written in a remote age,
and in language which has long ceased to
be spoken language, there should be here
and there a passage which cannot now be
made clear, but that there should be so few
of that description. There is no ancient
book that has not more difficulties of this
kind than the Hebrew Scriptures"
The meaning of the latter part Is more OBJ
vious, though it is to be borne in mind that
the image is pOetical and Oriental. Yet the
allusion to the changeable colorS of doye's
plumage is plainly intended to suggest the
idea of peaceful but splendid prosperity
" The allusion," says Barnes, sis to the
changeable colors of the plumage of dove,
now seeming to be bright silver, and then, as
the rays of light fall on it in another direc-
ton, to be yellow as gold If the allusion
is to the people of the land considered either
as lying down in dishonor, as IF among filth,
or as lying down calmly and quietly, as the
beasts do in their stalls, or as peacefully re-
posing within their natural limits or borders
then the meaning would be, that the spec
tacle would be most beautiful. The varied
tnts of loveiness in the land-the gardens
the farms, the flowers, the fruits, the vine
yards, the orchards, the villages, the towns
the cheerful homes--would be like the dove
the emblem of calmness, so beautiful in the
variety and the changeablenesss of its plum
age" Christian Intelsgencer.
ONE OR THE OTHER.-Either exercise