gem (Jb. 2816), suitable for engraving (Ex. 289 etc.), one
of the precious stones of Eden (Ezk. 2813), and apparently
used in architecture (1 Ch. 292). From the Greek equivalents
it is generally supposed to be either the onyx or the
beryl (v.i.). According to Pliny, the latter was obtained
from India, the former from India and Arabia (NH, xxxvii.
76, 86).—13. Gîḥôn] The name of a well on the E of
Jerusalem (the Virgin's spring: 1 Ki. 133 etc.), which IEz.
strangely takes to be meant here. In Jewish and Christian
tradition it was persistently identified with the Nile (Si. 2427;
G of Jer. 218 [where (
Hebrew characters) is translated Γηών]; Jos. Ant. i. 39,
and the Fathers generally). The great difficulty of that view
is that the Nile was as well known to the Hebrews as the
Euphrates, and no reason appears either for the mysterious
designation, or the vague description appended to the
name.—land of Kûš] Usually Ethiopia; but see on 106.—14.
Ḥiddeḳel] is certainly the Tigris, though the name
occurs only once again (Dn. 104).—in front of 'Aššûr] Either
between it and the spectator, or to the east of it: the
latter view is adopted by nearly all comm.; but the parallels
are indecisive, and the point is not absolutely settled.
Geographically the former would be more correct, since
the centre of the Assyrian Empire lay E of the Tigris.
The second view can be maintained only if (Hebrew characters) be the city
region that could be plausibly identified with Ḥavilah?—13. (Hebrew characters)] Probably
from [root] (Hebrew characters) (Jb. 388 4023) = 'bursting forth.'—14. (Hebrew characters)] G om.—(Hebrew characters)]
Bab. Idigla, Diglat, Aram. (Hebrew characters) and (Syriac characters), Arab. Diǧlat; then Old
Pers. Tigrâ, Pehlevi Digrat, Gr. Τίγρις and Τίγρης. The Pers. Tigrâ
was explained by a popular etymology as 'arrow-swift' (Strabo); and
similarly it was believed that the Hebrews saw in their name a compound
of (Hebrew characters), 'sharp,' and (Hebrew characters), 'swift,'—a view given by Ra., and mentioned
with some scorn by IEz. Hommel's derivation (AHT, 315) from ḫadd,
'wādī,' and (Hebrew characters) (= 'wādī of Diḳlah,' Gn. 1027), is of interest only in
connexion with his peculiar theory of the site of Paradise.—(Hebrew characters)]
Rendered 'in front' by G (κατέναντι), S ((Syriac characters)) and V (contra);
as 'eastward' by Aq. Σ. (ἐξ ἀνατολῆς) and TO ((Hebrew characters)). This last is also
the view of Ra. IEz. and of most moderns. But see Nö. ZDMG,
xxxiii. 532, where the sense 'eastward' is decisively rejected. The
other examples are 416, 1 Sa. 135, Ezk. 3911† .—(Hebrew characters)] Bab. Purâtu, Old
Pers. Ufrâtu, whence Gr. Εὐφράτης.
