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QUARRY.—In the story of the slaughter of Eglon by Ehud (Jdg_3:1-31) we are told (Jdg_3:19) that Ehud turned back from ‘the quarries that were by Gilgal,’ while after the assassination he ‘escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries’ (Jdg_3:26). An alternative translation ‘graven images’ is given in AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] and RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] , while other versions, e.g. LXX [Note: Septuagint.] and Vulg. [Note: Vulgate.] , read ‘idols.’ The Heb. word pĕîlîm is applied to images of gods in wood, stone, or metal (Deu_7:5; Deu_7:25; Deu_12:3, Isa_21:9; Isa_30:22, 2Ch_34:4). Moore suggests the translation ‘sculptured stones (probably rude images).’ Probably the stones set up by Joshua to commemorate the crossing of the Jordan (Jos_4:1-24) are what is referred to.
‘Quarry’ occurs also in RV [Note: Revised Version.] of 1Ki_6:7. The stones used for the Temple building are said to have been prepared ‘at the quarry.’ AV [Note: Authorized Version.] reads ‘before it was brought thither,’ RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ‘when it was brought away.’ The translation ‘quarry’ is probably correct.
W. F. Boyd.