GLASS, Vitrum. There were particular places in Palestine where sand was to be had, proper to make Glass with. There are some who think the Greek word Hyalos, Glass, comes from the Hebrew Chol1, which signifies Sand. And it is very probable, that Moses had a regard to the sands, that Glass was made of, when he said to Zebulun, They Deut. xxxiii. 19. Plin. l. 5. c. 19. & l. 36. c. 26.shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand. In the inheritance of this Tribe, or very near the frontiers of it, was the little river Belus, where was a particular kind of sand of great use in making Glass. Josephus speaks of it at large in the second Book of the wars of the Jews, chap. 17. p.790,7912 See BELUS.
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