and Arabians got their supply in large quantities from the Dead Sea, which hence received its
classical name of Lacus Asphaltites.
Pitcher
This word is used in the Authorized Version to denote the earthen water-jars or pitchers with
one or two handles, used chiefly by women for carrying water, as in the story of Rebekah. (Genesis
24:15-20) but see Mark 14:13; Luke 22:10 This mode of carrying has been and still is customary
the East and elsewhere. The vessels used for the purpose are generally borne on the head or the
shoulder. The Bedouin women commonly use skin bottles. Such was the “bottle” carried by Hagar
(Genesis 21:14) The same word is used of the pitchers employed by Gideon’s three hundred men.
(Judges 7:16)
Pithom
(the city of justice), one of the store-cites Israelites for the first oppressor, the Pharaoh “which
knew not Joseph.” (Exodus 1:11) It is probably the Patumus of Herodotus (ii. 1 159), a town on
the borders of Egypt, nest which Necho constructed a canal from the Nile to the Arabian Gulf.
Pithon
(harmless), one of the four sons of Micah, the son of Mephibosheth. (1 Chronicles 8:36; 9:41)
(B.C. 1050.)
Plague, The
The plague is considered to be a severe kind of typhus, accompanied by buboes (tumors).—Like
the cholera, it is most violent at the first outbreak, causing almost instant death. Great difference
of opinion has obtained as to whether it is contagious or not. It was very prevalent in the East, and
still prevails in Egypt. Several Hebrew words are translated “pestilence” or “plague” but not one
of these words call be considered as designating by its signification the disease now called the
plague. Whether the disease be mentioned must be judged from the sense of passages, not from the
sense of words. Those pestilences which were sent as special judgments, and were either
supernaturally rapid in their effects or were in addition directed against particular culprits are beyond
the reach of human inquiry. But we also read of pestilences which, although sent as judgments,
have the characteristics of modern epidemics, not being rapid beyond nature nor directed against
individuals. (Leviticus 26:25; 28:21) In neither of these passages does,it seem certain that the plague
is specified. The notices in the prophets present the same difficulty. Hezekiah’s disease has been
thought to have been the plague, and its fatal nature, as well as the mention of a boil, makes this
not improbable. On the other hand, there Is no mention of a pestilence among his people at the
time.
Plagues, The Ten
The occasion on which the plagues were sent is described in Exod 3-12.
•The plague of blood.When Moses and Aaron came before Pharaoh, a miracle was required of
them. Then Aaron’s rod became “a serpent (Authorized Version), or rather “a crocodile.” Its being
changed into an animal reverenced by all the Egyptians, or by some of them, would have been an
especial warning to Pharaoh, The Egyptian magicians called by the king produced what seemed
to be the same wonder, yet Aaron’s rod swallowed up the others. (Exodus 7:3-12) This passage,
taken alone would appear to indicate that the magicians succeeded in working wonders, but, if it
is compared with the others which relate their opposition on the occasions of the first three plagues,
a contrary inference seems more reasonable for the very first time that Moses wrought his miracle
without giving previous notice, the magicians “did so with their enchantments,” but failed. A
frankie
(Frankie)
#1