Bit, Bridle
Bit, Bridle
BIT, BRIDLE.The Hebrews were doubtless well acquainted with the bit, but there is no clear mention of it as distinct from the bridle, the words for which in Gr. and Lat. include bit, headstall, and reins. In Jam 3:3 the context is decisive for bridle (RV [Note: Revised Version.] and AV [Note: Authorized Version.] bit); in Psa 32:9 for bit and bridle we should probably render bridle and halter, and so in the other passages where the two Hebrew words respectively occur, e.g. bridle, Pro 26:3, but halter, Job 30:11.
In Psa 39:1 bridle should certainly be muzzle (cf. the corresponding verb in Deu 25:4). The crocodiles double bridle (Job 41:13) is his jaws, but the text is doubtful.
A. R. S. Kennedy.