the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Bible Encyclopedias
Gutter
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (צִנּוֹר, tsinnor') occurs in the proposal of David while attacking Jebus, that some one should "get up to the gutter and smite the Jebusites" (2 Samuel 5:8). The Sept. here renders "with the sword" (ἐν παραξιφίδι), and the Vulg. "roof-pipes" (domatum fistulae). The word only occurs elsewhere in Psalms 42:7 (Sept. and Vulg. cataracts, English Vers. "waterspouts"). Gesenius supposes it to mean a water-course. Dr. Boothroyd gives "secret passage," and in Psalms 42 "water-fall." It seems to refer to some kind of subterraneous passage through which water passed; but whence the water came, whither it went, or the use to which it was applied, cannot be determined, though we know that besiegers often obtained access to besieged places through aqueducts, drains, and subterraneous passages, and we also know that Jerusalem is abundantly furnished with such underground avenues. (See JEBUS).
In the account of Jacob's artifice for producing party-colored young among his flock, by placing peeled rods in the drinking-troughs (Genesis 30:38; Genesis 30:41), the word for "gutters'' in the original is רִחִט ), rach'at, vessels overflowing with water (as in Exodus 2:16) for cattle.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Gutter'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/g/gutter.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
