Joshua 15:19

A southland. Hebrew, the southland. The word Negeb signifies dry (see note on Negeb, Joshua 10:40 ). It must be remembered that it became the word for south, because the south of Palestine was an arid tract. Therefore Achsah must be understood as saying, "Thou hast given me a dry country, give me also a reservoir of water." The Vulgate translates Negeb twice over, "australem et arentem" (arentem only 1:15 ). The LXX . translates both Negeb and Gulloth as proper names. But in the parallel passage in Judges Negeb is translated "south," and Gulloth appears as λύτρωσιν , as if from גלה to remove. Nothing can more clearly show that the LXX . translation is the work of Springs of water. גֻּלּת different hands. akin to our well and the German quelle , and derived from גלל to roll, from the circular motion observable in springs, as also from the rolling of waves. The Chaldee renders the house of irrigation ( בֵיתּ שַׁקְיָא ). Knobel translates reservoirs. The upper springs and the lower springs (see note on Debir, Joshua 10:38 ).