And he went and caught three hundred foxes, and coupled them tail to tail, and fastened torches between the tails:

caught three.

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 MSS., 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 (1ki

Judges 20:10 We will take ten men of a hundred out of all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred out of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to bring victuals for the army, that we may fight against Gabaa of Benjamin, and render to it for its wickedness, what it deserveth.

. Is

40:12:00

Ezekiel 13:9 And my hand shall be upon the prophets that see vain things, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, nor shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel, and you shall know that I am the Lord God.

): 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

Ruth 2:15,16 And she arose from thence, to glean the ears of corn as before. And Booz commanded his servants, saying: If she would even reap with you, hinder her not: . . .

, 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.

Psalm 63:10 They shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes.

Songs 2:15 Catch us the little foxes that destroy the vines: for our vineyard hath flourished.

Lamentations 5:18 For mount Sion, because it is destroyed, foxes have walked upon it.

firebrands or touches