Partridge (Hastings' Dictionary)

This word occurs but twice in OT, 1S 26” (where the LXX tr. it νυκτι- κόραξ) and Jer 17" (πέρδιξ) In both the Vulg. gives perdiz. That kore’ is not an owl (νυκτικόραξ) is evident from the context of the passages in which this Gr. word is tr’ ‘owl.’ On the other hand, Caccabis chukar, C. R. Gray, the red-legged partridge, or Ammoperdix Heyi, Temm., the sand partridge, would suit exactly the comparison which David makes between himself and the kéré’.

As regards the passage in Jeremiah, the best ex- planation is to view the act of the partridge there alluded to as founded upon a popular belief as to its habits rather than upon strict fact. Bochart quotes such a belief (ii. 85) from Damir, who says that ‘it is of the nature of the partridge to come to the nests of its congeners, and take their eggs and incubate them; but when the chicks come to fly they return to the mothers which laid their eggs.

’ There are numerous instances in the Bible of the adoption of popular beliefs and their use to point a moral. Such have been adduced in articles on the ostrich, goat, owl, night-monster, leviathan, satyr, horseleech, ete. ‘he proper name ‘En- hakkore’ (Jg 15") means ‘spring of the partridge.’ Caccabis chukar is a gallinaceous als the male with a drab coat, beautifully mottled with cres- centic markings of white and black beneath, red legs, and a white throat.

Ammoperdix Heyi is a little smaller. The plumage of the male is sandy buff, washed with dark grey on the crown and cheeks, pencilled and barred beneath with brown, with a strip of white behind the eyes, an orange beak, and olive-yellow legs. Both species inhabit the most retired situations they can find, prefer- ring rocky hillsides clothed with shrubs and tufted grass. C. chukar is much more widely disseminated than its relative.

It is found most abundantly in the middle and upper regions of Lebanon and Antilebanon. It is also very abundant in the mountains of the 5 ay desert, often many miles away from water. The Arabs of that region say that it doesnot drink. Thesand partridge is found only in the Dead Sea and Jordan Valleys. Both species, but especially the latter, will run a con- siderable distance rather than take to wing.

A hen with chicks will almost allow herself to be caught in her anxiety to lead them out of danger. The present writer once dismounted and caught two chicks out of a brood which the hen was luring away. She waited near by until he had satished his curiosity by examining the fluffy PASHHUR (nnvp; Πασχώρ, Φασχώρ, Φα(σὴ)σούρ(α), Φάσσορος, Φαισούρ, Φασε(δ)ούρ; Fosere [i Es 95], Pha(s)sur, Pheshur. Etymology unknown; Ges. Thes. suggests ‘safety on every side’ [Arab.

fsh and ino] in contrast to Magor-missabib; others ‘splitter,’ from nv5).—4. The son of Malchiah, one of the pence sent by Zedekiah to inquire of Jeremiah concerning Nebuchadrezzar’s invasion, Jer2l', He is named also among the princes who heard that Jeremiah was urging the people te desert to the Chaldeans. He joined in urging the king to put Jeremiah to death, and in imprisoning him in a muddy oubliette, from which he was rescued by Ebed-melech, Jer 38%.

This Pashhur was perhaps the father of the Gedaliah ben Pashhur also mentioned in 38! (but ef. 2); and probably the Pashhur ben Malchiah mentioned in 1 Ch 9% Neh 1113 as the ancestor of a certain Adaiah is the same person. 2. The son of Immer, governor of the temple, and riest. _When Jeremiah announced the ruin of Judah, Pashhur had him beaten and placed in the PASS, PASSAGE, PASSENGER stocks, but released him the next day.

Thereupon Jeremiah repeated his threats, declaring that J” had called Pashhur’s name not Pashhur but MAGOR-MISSABIB (wh. see), ‘terror on every side,’ and added that Pashhur should die in exile at Babylon, Jer 20'*, V.° implies that Pashhur had Pepbened the deliverance of Judah from the haldzans. Pashhur ben Immer was perhaps the father of Gedaliah ben Pashhur mentioned in Jer 381, but cf. 4. 8.

Pashhur, the father of Gedaliah, Jer 38', may be identical with either 1 or 2; or may be a third Pashhur. 4, Béné Pashhur, a priestly clan, mentioned in Ezr 2% Neh 7 as contributing 1247 (1 Es 5” 1047) to those who returned with Ezra; and six, men- tioned by name (Ezr 1033, 1 Es 9%), to those who divorced foreign wives. According to Neh 10%, Pashhur, either the clan or its chief, sealed the covenant referred to in that chapter.

It is possible, but very improbable, that the name of the clan was derived from one of the above Pashhurs. Cf. Meyer, Entstehung d. oat gla 169 f. W. H. BENNETT.