(6) The usual method of catching fish was either by casting the net (Hab. i :Is; Ezek. xxvi :5, 14; xlvii :to; Matt. iV :18, 20, 21 ; Mark i :16, 18, iq; Luke v :2 ff ; John xxi :6 ff), or dragging it (Is. xix :8; Matt. xiii :47). See Tristram, Land of Israel, PP. 245, 426, 485, 529, 544. The language of Matt. vii :to, and Luke xi :II, implies that one in need might ask a fish as a gratuity and expect to receive it.
(7) The Hebrews seem to have classified to gether all creatures living in the waters, whether 'whales' A.V. or 'sea-monsters' R.V. (Gen. i :21 ; Heb. tunninim), or 'great fish' (Jonah i.17; ddg gddhell), or the 'living creature that moveth' (Gen. i :21), or 'fish' (ver. 28). (See JoNAH.) (8) The fish was an object of idolatry in all the ancient world. The Philistines worshiped Dagon. the fish-god (I Sam. v :4), who was represented with the body of a man and the tail of a fish (see DAnoN). Hence it was forbidden to make an image of a fish (Deut. iv :18), which to the Hebrew included, as befora said, all living crea tures in the water (Ex. xx :4).
(9) The form of a fish (Notius Poseidon) was from remote ages, a type of protective dominion. as above indicated. As the symbolizing spirit of
the ancients it passed into Christian observance, as appears from Eusebius (Life of Constantine), and St. Augustine (De Civitate Dei). On the walls of the oldest catacombs of Rome the repre sentation of the fish is frequently discernible, and always interpreted as an emblem of the Savior.
FiguratiVe. 0) Men are compared to fishes and fishes of the great sea; they are very numer ous ; their tempers and courses are very different ; they often live in a very confused and disorderly manner ; they prey on one another ; they are fre quently taken in the net of temptation and trou ble, and sometimes in the net of the gospel. At last, by the providence of God, they are drawn to thc shore of the eternal state ; and the good fishes are separated from the sea (Ezek. xlvii :9, io; Eccl. ix :i2 ; Matt. xiii :47-50). (2) Ministers are fishers of nzen; by casting the net of the gospel among them, with great labor and care they draw them to Christ and his church (Matt. iv :16; Ezek. xlvii :to). (3) The Chaldeans are called fishers; they ensnared, apprehended and carried out of their country multitudes of men (Jer. xvi :i6; Hab. i :15).