This word occurs only once in our version of the Bible: “I
will cut off the remnant of Baal, and the name of the Chemarims
(Chemarim) with the priests,” Zeph. i, 4; but it frequently occurs in
the Hebrew, and is generally translated “priests of the idols,” or
“priests clothed in black,” because _chamar_ signifies _blackness_. By
this word the best commentators understand the priests of false gods,
and in particular the worshippers of fire, because they were, it is
said, dressed in black. Le Clerc, however, declares against this last
opinion. Our translators of the Bible would seem sometimes to understand
by this word the idols or objects of worship, rather than their priests.
This is also the opinion of Le Clerc. Calmet observes that _camar_ in
Arabic signifies _the moon_, and that Isis is the same deity. “Among the
priests of Isis,” says Calmet, “were those called _melanephori_, that
is, wearers of black; but it is uncertain whether this name was given
them by reason of their dressing wholly in black, or because they wore a
black shining veil in the processions of this goddess.”
will cut off the remnant of Baal, and the name of the Chemarims
(Chemarim) with the priests,” Zeph. i, 4; but it frequently occurs in
the Hebrew, and is generally translated “priests of the idols,” or
“priests clothed in black,” because _chamar_ signifies _blackness_. By
this word the best commentators understand the priests of false gods,
and in particular the worshippers of fire, because they were, it is
said, dressed in black. Le Clerc, however, declares against this last
opinion. Our translators of the Bible would seem sometimes to understand
by this word the idols or objects of worship, rather than their priests.
This is also the opinion of Le Clerc. Calmet observes that _camar_ in
Arabic signifies _the moon_, and that Isis is the same deity. “Among the
priests of Isis,” says Calmet, “were those called _melanephori_, that
is, wearers of black; but it is uncertain whether this name was given
them by reason of their dressing wholly in black, or because they wore a
black shining veil in the processions of this goddess.”