* their thumbs.  Heb. the thumbs of their hands and of their
   feet.
   This was not an unusual act of cruelty in ancient times
   towards enemies.--(926c)ian informs us, that in after ages "the
   Athenians, at the instigation of Cleon, son of Cleoenetus,
   made a decree that all the inhabitants of the island of (9267)ina
   should have the thumb cut off from the right hand, so that
   they might ever after be disabled from holding a spear, yet
   might handle an oar."  It was a custom among those Romans who
   did not like a military life, to cut off their thumbs, that
   they might be incapable of serving in the army; and for the
   same reason, parents sometimes cut off the thumbs of their
   children.

 * gathered.  or, gleaned.  as I have.
  Ex 21:23-25  Le 24:19-21  1Sa 15:33  Isa 33:1  Mt 7:1,2 
  Lu 6:37,38  Ro 2:15  Jas 2:13  Re 13:10  16:6