extraordinary profusion of fish. The great variety and abundance of the
fish in the lake attracted to its shores a larger and more varied population
than existed elsewhere in Palestine, whereby this secluded district was
brought into contact with all parts of the world. And this large and varied
population, with access to all nations and countries, attracted the Lord
Jesus, and induced him to make this spot the centre of his public
ministry.”
- GALL (1) Hebrews mererah, meaning “bitterness” (Job 16:13); i.e., the
bile secreted in the liver. This word is also used of the poison of asps
(20:14), and of the vitals, the seat of life (25).
(2.) Hebrews rosh. In Deuteronomy 32:33 and Job 20:16 it denotes the
poison of serpents. In Hos. 10:4 the Hebrew word is rendered “hemlock.”
The original probably denotes some bitter, poisonous plant, most
probably the poppy, which grows up quickly, and is therefore coupled
with wormwood (Deuteronomy 29:18; Jeremiah 9:15; Lamentations 3:19).
Comp. Jeremiah 8:14; 23:15, “water of gall,” Gesenius, “poppy juice;”
others, “water of hemlock,” “bitter water.”
(3.) Gr. chole (Matthew 27:34), the LXX. translation of the Hebrew rosh
in Psalm 69; 21, which foretells our Lord’s sufferings. The drink offered to
our Lord was vinegar (made of light wine rendered acid, the common drink
of Roman soldiers) “mingled with gall,” or, according to Mark (15:23),
“mingled with myrrh;” both expressions meaning the same thing, namely,
that the vinegar was made bitter by the infusion of wormwood or some
other bitter substance, usually given, according to a merciful custom, as an
anodyne to those who were crucified, to render them insensible to pain.
Our Lord, knowing this, refuses to drink it. He would take nothing to
cloud his faculties or blunt the pain of dying. He chooses to suffer every
element of woe in the bitter cup of agony given him by the Father (John
18:11).
- GALLERY (1.) Hebrews ‘attik (Ezekiel 41:15, 16), a terrace; a projection;
ledge.
(2.) Hebrews rahit (Cant. 1:17), translated “rafters,” marg. “galleries;”
probably panel-work or fretted ceiling.