Quarry

(פּסַיל, pesil, but only in the plur.; Sept. γλυπτά', Vullg. idoll). In the account of the exploit of Ehud in Jg 3:19,26, for the "quarries that were by Gilgal" of our version, or, as the Syriac and the Chal dee read, stone-pits or quarries, the primary signification of images of false gods may be intended, as in De 7:25; Isa 42:8; Jer 8:19; Jer 51:52; Ho 11:12. etc.; and it is so understood by the Sept. and the Vulg. in the above text. We have no knowledge of any quarries at Gilgal, in the plain of Jericho; and Boothroyd conjectures that idols might have been erected at Gilgal by Eglon, and that the sight of them there inspired Elhud with new ardor to execute his purpose. Rosenmuller, after Rashi, adheres to the above interpretation of quarries, and in this Furst and Keil agree. The last-named interpreter remarks that the Gilgal intended cannot be the one near the Jordan, but that in the hills of Ephraim. SEE GILGAL. Gesenius regards Pesilim as the name of a place. Cassel, in Lange's Commentary, understands by it boundary-stones, i.e. "termini," of an idolatrous form. That the ancient Canaanites had extensive quarries is evinced by the cyclopean blocks at the foundation of the temple at Baalbek (q.v.).