*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The quiver rattleth against him - The quiver was a case made for containing arrows. It was usually slung over the shoulder, so that it could be easily reached to draw out an arrow. Warriors on horseback, as well as on foot, fought with bows and arrows, as well as with swords and spears; and the idea here is, that the war-horse bore upon himself these instruments of war. The rattling of the quiver was caused by the fact that the arrows were thrown somewhat loosely into the case or the quiver, and that in the rapid motion of the warrior they were shaken against each other. Thus, Virgil, Aeneid ix. 660:
- pharetramque fuga sensere sonantem.
Silius, L. 12:
Plena tenet et resonante pharetra.
And again:
Turba ruunt stridentque sagittiferi coryti.
So Homer ("Iliad, a."), when speaking of Apollo:
Τόξ ὤμοισιν ἔχων, ἀμφηρεφέα τε φαρέτρην
Ἔκλαγξαν δ ̓ ἄῤ ὀΐστοὶ ἐπ ̓ ὤμων χωομένοιο.
Tox́ ōmoisin echōn, amfērefea te faretrēn
Eklangxan d' aŕ oistoi ep' ōmōn chōmenoio.
See Seheutzer's "Phys. Sac., in loc."
The quiver rattleth against him,.... The quiver is what arrows are put into and carried in, and seems here to be put for arrows, which being shot by the enemy come whizzing about him, but do not intimidate him; unless this is to be understood of arrows rattling in the quiver when carried by the rider "upon him", so some render the last word; and thus Homer (w) and Virgil (x) speak of the rattling quiver and sounding arrows in it, as carried on the back or shoulder; but the first sense seems best, in which another poet uses it (y);
the glittering spear and the shield; the lance or javelin, as Mr. Broughton renders it, and others; that is, he does not turn back from these, nor is he frightened at them when they are pointed to him or flung at him; so Aelianus (z) speaks of the Persians training their horses and getting them used to noises, that in battle they might not be frightened at the clashing of arms, of swords and shields against each other; in like manner as our war horses are trained, not to start at the firing of a gun, or the explosion of a cannon.
(w) Iliad. 1. v. 4. (x) "Pharetramqne sonantem". Aeneid. 9. v. 666. (y) "----audito sonitu per inane pharetrae". Ovid. Metamorph. l. 6. v. 230. (z) De Animal. l. 16. c. 25.
quiver--for the arrows, which they contain, and which are directed "against him."
glittering spear--literally, "glittering of the spear," like "lightning of the spear" (Habakkuk 3:11).
shield--rather, "lance."
Quiver - The quiver is here put for the arrows contained in it, which being shot against the horse and rider, make a rattling noise.
*More commentary available at chapter level.