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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Poison
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chemah, from a root "to be hot" (; ,). ; , "of serpents." In allusion is made to poisoned arrows, symbolizing the burning pains which penetrated into Job's inmost parts ("spirit" as contrasted with surface flesh wounds of his body). Pliny (xi. 115) mentions that the Scythians poisoned their arrows with viper's venom mixed with human blood; a scratch of such arrows proved fatal. Also Arab pirates on the Red Sea used poisoned arrows (texicon, or toxicum from toxon a "bow", became the term for poison, so common was the usage). The Jews never adopted the barbarous custom. Ro'sh; ; ; ; ; . (See GALL.); margin.