An evil disease. — Margin, thing of Belial. (For “Belial,” see Deuteronomy 13:13.) The expression may mean, as in LXX. and Vulg., “a lawless speech,” so the Chaldee, “a perverse word.” Syriac, “a word of iniquity,” or “a physical evil,” as in Authorised Version, or “a moral evil.” The verse is difficult, not only from this ambiguity, but also from that of the verb, which, according to the derivation we take, may mean “cleave” or “pour forth.” Modern scholars prefer the latter, understanding the image as taken from the process of casting metal. An incurable wound is poured out (welded) upon him. (Comp. “molten,” 1 Kings 7:24; 1 Kings 7:30.) This does not, however, suit the context nearly so well as the reading,
“A wicked saying have they directed against me:
Let the sick man never rise again,”
which has the support of the LXX. and Vulg., though they make of the last clause a question, “Shall not the sleeper rise again?”