Of “the queen of Sheba,” mention is made 1 Kings x, 1, 2, &c; 2
Chron. ix, 1, 2, &c; Matt. xii, 42; Luke xi, 31. She is called “queen of
the south,” and was, according to some, a queen of Arabia; and,
according to others, a queen of Ethiopia. Josephus says, that Sheba was
the ancient name of the city of Meroe, before Cambyses gave it that of
his sister; and that it was from thence the queen came of whom we are
speaking. This opinion has much prevailed. The Abyssinians at this day,
maintain, that this princess was of their country, and that her
posterity reigned there a long time. They preserve a catalogue of them,
their names and successions.
שח SHEEP, שה, occurs frequently, and צאן, a general name for both sheep
and goats, considered collectively in a flock, Arabic _zain_. The sheep
is a well known animal. The benefits which mankind owe to it are
numerous. Its fleece, its skin, its flesh, its tallow, and even its
horns and bowels are articles of great utility to human life and
happiness. Its mildness and inoffensiveness of temper, strongly
recommend it to human affection and regard; and have designated it the
pattern and emblem of meekness, innocence, patience, and submission. It
is a social animal. The flock follow the ram as their leader; who
frequently displays the most impetuous courage in their defence: dogs,
and even men, when attempting to molest them, have often suffered from
his sagacious and generous valour. There are two varieties of sheep
found in Syria. The first, called the “Bidoween sheep,” differs little
from the large breed among us, except that the tail is somewhat longer
and thicker. The second is much more common, and is more valued on
account of the extraordinary bulk of its tail, which has been remarked
by all the eastern travellers. The carcass of one of these sheep,
without including the head, feet, entrails, and skin, weighs from fifty
to sixty pounds, of which the tail makes up fifteen pounds. Some of a
larger size, fattened with care, will sometimes weigh one hundred and
fifty pounds, the tail alone composing one third of the whole weight. It
is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately,
but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and often also
used instead of butter. A reference to this part is made in Exod. xxix,
22; Lev. iii, 9; where the fat and the tail were to be burnt on the
altar of sacrifice. Mr. Street considers this precept to have had
respect to the health of the Israelites; observing that “bilious
disorders are very frequent in hot countries; the eating of fat meat is
a great encouragement and excitement to them; and though the fat of the
tail is now considered as a delicacy, it is really unwholesome.” The
conclusion of the seventeenth verse, which is, “Ye shall eat neither fat
nor blood,” justifies this opinion. The prohibition of eating fat, that
is of fat unmixed with the flesh, the omentum or caul, is given also,
Lev. vii, 23.
Chron. ix, 1, 2, &c; Matt. xii, 42; Luke xi, 31. She is called “queen of
the south,” and was, according to some, a queen of Arabia; and,
according to others, a queen of Ethiopia. Josephus says, that Sheba was
the ancient name of the city of Meroe, before Cambyses gave it that of
his sister; and that it was from thence the queen came of whom we are
speaking. This opinion has much prevailed. The Abyssinians at this day,
maintain, that this princess was of their country, and that her
posterity reigned there a long time. They preserve a catalogue of them,
their names and successions.
שח SHEEP, שה, occurs frequently, and צאן, a general name for both sheep
and goats, considered collectively in a flock, Arabic _zain_. The sheep
is a well known animal. The benefits which mankind owe to it are
numerous. Its fleece, its skin, its flesh, its tallow, and even its
horns and bowels are articles of great utility to human life and
happiness. Its mildness and inoffensiveness of temper, strongly
recommend it to human affection and regard; and have designated it the
pattern and emblem of meekness, innocence, patience, and submission. It
is a social animal. The flock follow the ram as their leader; who
frequently displays the most impetuous courage in their defence: dogs,
and even men, when attempting to molest them, have often suffered from
his sagacious and generous valour. There are two varieties of sheep
found in Syria. The first, called the “Bidoween sheep,” differs little
from the large breed among us, except that the tail is somewhat longer
and thicker. The second is much more common, and is more valued on
account of the extraordinary bulk of its tail, which has been remarked
by all the eastern travellers. The carcass of one of these sheep,
without including the head, feet, entrails, and skin, weighs from fifty
to sixty pounds, of which the tail makes up fifteen pounds. Some of a
larger size, fattened with care, will sometimes weigh one hundred and
fifty pounds, the tail alone composing one third of the whole weight. It
is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately,
but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and often also
used instead of butter. A reference to this part is made in Exod. xxix,
22; Lev. iii, 9; where the fat and the tail were to be burnt on the
altar of sacrifice. Mr. Street considers this precept to have had
respect to the health of the Israelites; observing that “bilious
disorders are very frequent in hot countries; the eating of fat meat is
a great encouragement and excitement to them; and though the fat of the
tail is now considered as a delicacy, it is really unwholesome.” The
conclusion of the seventeenth verse, which is, “Ye shall eat neither fat
nor blood,” justifies this opinion. The prohibition of eating fat, that
is of fat unmixed with the flesh, the omentum or caul, is given also,
Lev. vii, 23.