Bars

BARS. This word signifies properly the Bars of Gates, belonging both to private houses and cities; is is sometimes taken for all sorts of obstacles and defences. God says, for example, that he has placed Doors and Bars to the Sea, to prevent its spreading over the Earth. In another place he Job xxxviii.says, that he will break the Bars of Egypt, its Fortresses, its Barriers. He promises Cyrus that he will go before him, and will in his presence break in pieces the Gates of brass, and the Bars of iron; that is to say, he will make him master of the strong Cities. And Amos i. 5. I will break the Bars of Damascus, Jonah xi. 7. describing the condition he was in, while he was swallowed up by the large Fish, says, The Earth with her Bars were about him, Vectes terræ concluserunt me, that is to say, that he was enclosed on every side in the deep, as in a prison made fast with strong Bars.

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