Verse 17
Dan shall be a serpent - The original word is נחש nachash , and we have seen on Genesis 3 that this has a great variety of significations. It is probable that a serpent is here intended, but of what kind we know not; yet as the principal reference in the text is to guile, cunning, etc., the same creature may be intended as in Genesis 3.
A cerastes upon the track - The word שפיפון shephiphon , which is nowhere else to be found in the Bible, is thus translated by the Vulgate, and Bochart approves of the translation. The cerastes has its name from two little horns upon its head, and is remarkable for the property here ascribed to the shephiphon . The word ארח orach , which we translate path, signifies the track or rut made in the ground by the wheel of a cart, wagon, etc. And the description that Nicander gives of this serpent in his Theriaca perfectly agrees with what is here said of the shephiphon .
εν δ ' αμαθοισιν <-144 Η και ἁματροχιῃσι παρα στιβον ενδυκες ανει .
v. 262.
Be the first to react on this!
