1 Kings 8:37

If there be in the land famine [Heb. Famine should there be, etc. The word is emphatic by position. Famine is denounced, 26.20" class="scriptRef">Le 26:20, 26; Deuteronomy 28:33 ], if there be pestilence [Le 26:25; Jeremiah 14:12 ; Jeremiah 24:10 ; Amos 4:10 ; Ezekiel 6:12 , etc.], blasting [same word Genesis 41:6 ; Amos 4:9 ; Deuteronomy 28:22 ], mildew [lit. paleness, χλωρότης , Deuteronomy l.c. ], locust, or if there be caterpillar [It is uncertain whether חָסִיל , lit; devourer, here rendered "caterpillar," is not an adjective and an appellation of the locust = devouring locust . Deuteronomy 28:38 ( יַאֲסְלֶנוּ חָאַרְבֶּה "the locust shall consume it") certainly favours this view. But the Chronicles and the Verss. distinguish it here (by the introduction of "and" between the two words) as a separate plague. It is also similarly distinguished, Joel 1:4 ; Psalms 78:46 . Gesen. considers it to be a species of locust]; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities [Heb. his gates, but "the land of his gates" hardly yields sense. It is noteworthy that the LXX . (with most of the Verss.) reads ἐν μιᾷ τῶν πόλεων αὐτοῦ . Thenius, consequently, to bring the Hebrew text into harmony, would substitute באחת עיריו for בארץ שעריו . Another suggested emendation is בארץ בשעריו , "in the land, even in their gates." But it is doubtful whether any alteration is really required. "The land of their gates" (cf. "land of their captivity," 2 Chronicles 6:37 ; Jeremiah 30:10 , etc.) may perhaps be interpreted the land where their gates ( i.e; fortified cities) are. The marg. " Jurisdiction " — the gate being the place of judgment ( Ruth 4:11 ; Proverbs 22:22 ; 2 Samuel 15:2 )—is altogether out of the question]; whatsoever plague, whatsoever [Heb. every plague, etc.] sickness there be.