QUARRY . In the story of the slaughter of Eglon by Ehud ( Judges 3:1-31 ) we are told ( Judges 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’ ( Judges 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 pÄ•sîlîm is applied to images of gods in wood, stone, or metal ( Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 12:3 , Isaiah 21:9; Isaiah 30:22 , 2 Chronicles 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 ( Joshua 4:1-24 ) are what is referred to.
‘Quarry’ occurs also in RV [Note: Revised Version.] of 1 Kings 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.