Verse 32
32. Passages Literally, crossing-places, either bridges or fords, or more probably both.
Are stopped Rather, seized, occupied.
Reeds… burned Better, marshes or ponds, alluding to the artificial lakes which, according to Herodotus, formed an important part of the defences of Babylon. As these could not be literally burned, the translation “reeds” has been adopted, but utterly without authority. The language is poetic and hyperbolic, and should not be forced.
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