Bridle Bit
Bridle Bit [1]
BIT, BRIDLE . The Hebrews were doubtless well acquainted with the bit , but there is no clear mention of it as distinct from the bridle , the words for which in Gr. and Lat. include bit, headstall, and reins. In James 3:3 the context is decisive for ‘bridle’ (RV [Note: Revised Version.] and AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘bit’); in Psalms 32:9 for ‘bit and bridle’ we should probably render ‘bridle and halter,’ and so in the other passages where the two Hebrew words respectively occur, e.g . ‘bridle,’ Proverbs 26:3 , but ‘halter,’ Job 30:11 .
In Psalms 39:1 ‘bridle’ should certainly be ‘muzzle’ (cf. the corresponding verb in Deuteronomy 25:4 ). The crocodile’s ‘double bridle’ ( Job 41:13 ) is his jaws, but the text is doubtful.
A. R. S. Kennedy.
