Travel west to the Kitians, i.e. Cyprus, or east to Kedar,
i.e. Arabia, where will you find such fickleness, or
infidelity, as in Israel ? A twofold folly has been com-
mitted by the people. " They have forsaken the foun-
tain, and they have hewed out cisterns." The fountain
(Makor) is a large reservoir fed by springs, such as
abound in Palestine. The cistern has no such constant
supply ; it is purely artificial, and often, through
leakage, empty. So then, the people have exchanged
God and satisfaction for the vain hopes set on man.
IJThese verses (verses 4-13) are rejected by Duhm on account
(a) of a Deuteronomic element which pervades them, and,
(6) of the absence of the poetic form. The former considera-
tion can hardly be pressed on those who take a different view
of the prophet's relation to the new movement, and, while it
is true that the rhythm has been hopelessly damaged in the
process of transmission, there are still traces of it, as in the
refrains, " None passing through," " None dwelling there,"
(verse 6) ; so also in verses 11, 12.
Hath a nation changed its gods,

Which are no gods ?
But my people hath changed their glory

For that which profiteth not.
Be astonished at this, ye heavens !
And be greatly amazed !
It is interesting to find ourselves here following in the foot-
steps of St. Paul, that profound thinker and diligent student

^ Cf. Deut. xxxiii, 8 ; Isaiah xxviii, 6.
42 LOQUITUR JAHVEH

of the Word of God. We see him bending over his copy of
the prophet's Roll, and making an inward note of verse 5.
