* the plenty.
   It is well known, that in Egypt there is scarcely any rain,
   the country depending for its fertility upon the overflowing
   of the Nile; and that the fertility is in proportion to the
   duration and quality of the overflow, in order to saturate
   the land and prepare for the seed.  Pliny has given a scale,
   by which the plenty or dearth may ascertained; which may be
   considered as perfectly correct.  The ordinary height of the
   inundations is 16; cubits.  When the waters are lower than
   this standard, they do not overflow the whole ground; when
   above this standard they are too long in running off.  In the
   first case, the ground is not saturated; by the second, the
   waters are detained so long on the ground that seed-time is
   lost.  The province marks both.  If it rise only 12; cubits, a
   famine is the consequence; at 13; hunger prevails; 14; produces
   general rejoicing; 15; perfect security; and 16; all the
   luxuries of life.

 * grievous.  Heb. heavy.
  1Sa 5:6  Isa 24:20