19. Dan also--None of the other places enumerated commence with the
copula ("also"; Hebrew, ve). Moreover, the products specified,
"cassia, calamus," apply rather to places in Arabia. Therefore,
FAIRBAIRN translates, "Vedan"; perhaps the modern Aden, near the straits
of Bab-el-man-deb. GROTIUS refers it to Dana, mentioned by
PTOLEMY.
Javan--not the Greeks of Europe or Asia Minor, but of a Greek
settlement in Arabia.
going to and fro--rather, as Hebrew admits, "from Uzal." This
is added to "Javan," to mark which Javan is meant
(Ge 10:27).
The metropolis of Arabia Felix, or Yemen; called also Sanaa [BOCHART]. English Version gives a good sense,
thus: All peoples, whether near as the Israelite "Dan," or far as the
Greeks or "Javan," who were wont to "go to and fro" from their love of
traffic, frequented thy marts, bringing bright iron, &c., these
products not being necessarily represented as those of Dan or Javan.
bright iron--Yemen is still famed for its sword blades.
calamus--aromatic cane.
JFB.
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