“Easthampstead Rectory, Bracknell,
“April 20, 1876.
“My dear Ruskin,—I have just received this month’s ‘Fors,’ but not read
it, (of course not; my friends never do, except to find the mistakes,)
as I am off to Dublin, but as regards Psalm lxxxvii., (note, p. 110,) I
expounded it in a sermon some time since, and was talking of it to a
very learned Hebraist last Monday. Rahab, there, is generally
understood to mean ‘the monster,’ and has nothing to do, beyond
resemblance of sound, with Rahab the harlot. And the monster is the
crocodile, as typical of Egypt. In Psalm lxxxix. 10, (the Bible
version, not the Prayer Book,) you will see Rahab explained in the
margin, by ‘or Egypt.’
“Perhaps Rahab the harlot was called by the same name from the rapacity
of her class, just as in Latin lupa.
“The whole Psalm is badly translated, and, as we have it,
unintelligible. But it is really charged with deep prophetical meaning.
I cannot write more, so believe me,
“Ever yours affectionately,
“O. Gordon.
“I hope you will have had a pleasant journey when you receive this. The
Greek Septuagint is much better than the English, but not good. As
regards the general meaning, you have divined it very correctly.”