COA. There is mention of Coa1 in 1 Kings, x. 28. and 2 Chr. i. 16. and it is said in these places, that Horses were brought to Solomon from Coa at a certain price. Some by Coa understand the Isle of Coos, celebrated for the Silks and Woollen Stuffs that were wrought there. But this is no proof that there were fine Horses there, or that any were brought from thence to Solomon. Others are of opinion2, that these Horses came from the City of Coa in Arabia Felix. Others3 bring them from Co a City of Egypt, and Capital of the Province called Cypopolitana.
The Hebrew may be thus translated; They brought horses to Solomon from Egypt and from Michoe4. Pliny assures us5, that antiently the Country of the Troglodytes near Egypt was called Michoë. Others translate the Hebrew thus.6They brought Horses to Solomon out of Egypt, and the King’s merchants bought thread for Money. They pretend that the Hebrew Mikoa, signifies Thread. Jarchi supposes a string of Horses to be meant by it, fastned by the tail to one another; and this Interpretation is followed by several modern Expositors7. Bochart8 by Mikoa understands Tribute, and his Translation of this passage runs thus. They brought Horses for Solomon out of Egypt; and as to the Tributes, this Prince’s Farmers received them at certain rates.
Read this article in its place on the printed pages