The Ancient Hebrew Harp.
Sir,—In Kitto's Biblical Cyclopædia, vol. 2. p. 373, we find the following coin, on which is engraved an ancient harp surrounded by the letters, Fllth Chtr Phl, which may be construed thus:—
'The Felatah Cithara of Pul.'
After referring the readers of "Current Notes" to the "London Encyclopædia," word Falasha, and Prichard's Physical History of Mankind, vol. 1, "On the Races of People in the Interior of Africa," let us have recourse to Etymology for a further elucidation of this singular coin, and the Semi-Jewish tribe whose name it bears.
Felatah.—Hebrew פלט phalat, which by comparison with its cognates signifies, to separate from, retire into, (another country); and with its affix פלטה phalatah, or Felatah, signifying evasio, liberatio, residuum, &c.
Cithara.—Greek κιθαρα. Hebrew and Chaldee חטר chatar, a stick, (plectrum), to beat with a stick; therefore the instrument cannot be the עשׂוֹר asor, decachordon; but properly, I think, the harp or lyre that was beaten with the plectrum.
Pul.—Hebrew פול phul, or Pul, (Isaiah lxvi. 19.) "Africa, ea pars quæ apud Fesam."
Such is the value of rightly interpreting the ancient coins of various nations.
Yours truly,
T. R. Brown.