IV. SHAMIR a : This Word is found in several Places of the Hebrew Text of the Old Testament, and signifies sometimes Thorns, Briars1, or the Place where they grow; and sometimes a Stone2, or an Instrument of extraordinary Hardness, proper to polish Precious-stones; from whence it is sometimes translated by Diamond. The Rabbins have much amused themselves about the Shamir; they pretend it was a Worm, and that it was one of the ten Vid. Pirke Aboth.Things that God created on the Saturday Evening: They think that Moses made use of it to polish and engrave the Precious-stones of the Breast-plate; that Solomon used it also to polish and cut the Stones that were used in the building the Temple, 1 Kings vi. 7.where the Scripture says, there was neither Hammer, nor Axe, nor any Iron Tool to be heard; because, according to the Rabbins, Solomon without any Noise, by means of the Shamir, cut all the Stones as they were brought out of the Quarry. Some Hebrews pretend, that the Devil Asmodeus, having been taken and chain’d by this Prince, was forc’d to give him this marvellous Worm. Others tell us, that Solomon having inclosed the Young-ones of a Lap-wing in a Glass Vessel; in order to deliver her Young-ones out of Prison, the Lap-wing went and fetch’d the Worm Shamir, by means of which she easily broke the Glass. This Experiment let Solomon into the Knowledge of the Virtue of this little Animal. Vincent Vincent. Bellov. l. 16. c. 123.of Beavais, in his Doctrinal, was not unacquainted with this Fable; but instead of a Lap-wing, he has put an Ostrich; and instead of Shamir, he has put Thamur.
Bochart. de Animal. sacr. p. 2. l. 6. c. 12.Bochart having well examin’d what is said of the Shamir, has very well proved, that it was neither a Worm, nor a Rock, nor a Diamond, but a Stone that is so hard, that the Lapidaries commonly make use of it to polish their Precious-stones. This Author shews, against the Opinion of Cardan, that the Antients knew it, and apply’d it to this Use.3 Hesychius says, it was a kind of Sand; but this is, because it is reduced to Powder, which Powder is used in polishing Gems.
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