disciples as having recognized on further con- sideration, while Mk. gives ' a stimulating ques- tion whicli leaves the Twelve to think out for themselves ' the comparison of leaven witli teach- ing (Swete, in loc). Similarly, Mk 6^^ (RV, 'con- sidered ' AV) of the miracle of the loaves and the walking on the sea ; ' debuerant a pane ad mare concludere' (Bengel). Lk. employs the word less frequently than Mt. or Mk. In 2^" 1834 24^5, where it occurs in the narrative, the meaning of appre- hending the significance of the word spoken, recog- nizing its bearing on the circumstances (the mission of Jesus, the crucifixion, and the sufferings), is apparent. He does not use the special thought in his account of the exposition of the parable of the Sower.
The privative adj. dcrvveros ' without understand- ing,' exhibits the precise meaning of the verb, Mt 151® II Mk 7^^. ' The davv. is the man who lacks the discernment which comes from the due use of the illuminated intelligence' (Swete). The posi- tive adj. awerhs (Mt ir-^sy u^ jq^i), AV 'prudent,' RV 'understanding,' preserves the idea of critical comparison, in contrast with the more general in- telligence denoted by ao(p6s ; but the reference is to material not spiritual things : ' the " wisdom of the Avorld" which is " foolishness with God" [con- trasted with] the " foolishness of the world " which is " wisdom with God," on which St. Paul was so fond of dwelling ' (Farrar).
The noun avvecns occurs only in Lk 2^', where the precise idea is implied of the growth of Jesus in the development of His faculty of recognizing truth in every aspect along with His growth in stature ; and Mk 12^^, where, however, the reading is more than doubtful.
St. Paul's usage of the word cannot be overlooked. It is in strict harmony with that of the Gospels. See especially Col 19, where he combines 'understanding' with 'wisdom' in his prayer, and Eph 3^ of ' the mystery of Christ,' 51' of ' the will of God' (Eph 118 S/avo/a? is a disputed reading). See Lightfoot, Col., where Aristotle's definition is expounded.
2. voeiv, Mt 15" || Mk V^, Mt 16" || Mk 8i^ Mt 1611 RV 'perceive,' Mt 24i5 || Mk 13" (AV and RV), Jn 12*0 (from ig 59) RV 'perceive ' : to per- ceive (1) with the senses, (2) with the mind. As distinguished from aw. it occupies a middle place between bodily sensation and critical apprehen- sion. The first step is the sensuous perception [aKoveLv, iSeiv, etc.), then the mental act of atten- tion to what is thus pi'esented (voeiv), which in turn precedes the derivative critical act {cwUvai.), by which one is enabled to form a judgment on it. The process of digestion, the multiplication of the loaves, the passage read, the word heard, are ob- jects first of sensation, then of attention, and lastly of reflexion, in order that their true bearing may be apprehended. Cf. 2 Ti 2'' and EUicott's note.
3. 7i,7vu)o-K€iv is rendered by ' understand ' (AV) in Mt 261", Jn 8-'- ^=* lO" \2^^ (cf. rendering of its privative LyvoCw in Mk 9^-= Lk 9*^). In other cases 7. is rendered by ' know,' and it is difficult to find a reason for not adhering to that rendering in these verses. 7. differs from aw. in so far that while <tvv. generally marks an antithesis to sense - percep- tion, 7. marks an advance upon it. Preoccupation with lower thoughts, self-complacency excluding apprehension of spiritual truths, present circum- stances obscuring the full significance and neces- sitating a further enlightenment by new circum- stances and prolonged pondering, hinder this advance. Only when these difficulties are re- moved can one come to know the higher aspects of the reality. (For the thought, compare Jn 2^^ 13^ 14-6). ^^ (Gospels only Mk 9^''' || Lk 9*^) preserves this idea of advance, ' there was a Divine purpose in their temporary ignorance ' (Swete). The dis- ciples were unwilling to admit the idea of suffering
UNDRESSED CLOTH
UNION
779
and death, and the rebuke administered to Peter made them afraid to ask questions ; thus they remained ignorant for a time.
Literature. — The Lexicons and Commentaries, all of whicli refer to Lijjhtfoot's Colossians, 19 ; R. \V. Dale, Week-Day Sermonf! (1867), p. 10. K. MaCPHERSON.
UNDRESSED CLOTH,— 1. Ingredients in dress- ing.— The principal cleansing agents were two kinds of crude alkali salt. — («) Mineral. This con- sisted of the natural deposits, chiefly in Egypt, of potassium or sodium carbonates. It was the Heb. nether, Axa.h. natrun, EV (incorrectly) 'nitre,' RV ' lye' (Jer 2--). White clay was also used, chiefly as a detergent or scrubbing agent. — [b) Vegetable. This was obtained chiefly from the soap plant called in Arabic ishndn, growing on the desert plains of Syria. When burnt, it yields a crude substance named kali in Arabic, corresponding to the Heb. borifk, ' soap ' (Mai 3^).
2. Process of dressing. — (a) For cotton and linen. The cleansing of these was carried out after the cloth had been woven. The present custom in Syria is to dip the cloth in water, and lay it out on a flat surface of rock. It is then sprinkled with natrun (Ij'e) or kali (soap), and beaten Avith rods or clubs, and is Hnally rinsed in fresh water and spread out under the sun to dry.