probably a house with ivory panels. “Ivory palaces” are men- tioned in Ps. xlv. 8, and “houses of ivory” in Amos iii. 15. The Assyrians carried on a great trade in this article. On the obelisk in the British Museum the captives or tribute-bearers are represented as carrying tusks. The Egyptians early made use of it in decoration, bringing it mostly from Ethiopia, where, according to Pliny, ivory was so plentiful that the natives made of it door-posts and fences, and stalls for their cattle. In the early ages of Greece ivory was frequently employed for orna- mental purposes, for the trappings of horses, the handles of kegs, and the bosses of shields. Homer represents an Asiatic woman staining ivory with purple to form trappings for horses, and describes the reins of chariot-horses as adorned with ivory. The statue of Jupiter by Phidias was of ivory and gold. In the “ Odyssey ” of Homer, Telemachus thus addresses his com- panion, the son of Nestor, as they contemplate the splendor of Menelaus’ palace:
“ See, son of Nestor, my beloved friend, In all these echoing rooms the sheen of brass, Of gold, of amber and of ivory, Such is the palace of Olympian Jove.” “Odyssey,” iv., 71-74.
Marble (uapydpov). From pappatpw to sparkle or glisten.
13. Cinnamon («udpopov). Mentioned as one of the in- gredients of the holy oil for anointing (Exod. xxx. 23), and as a perfume for the bed (Prov. vii. 17).
And spice («al duwpov). These words are added by the best texts. A fragrant Indian plant, with seed in grape-like clusters, from which ointment was made. Preparations for the hair were made from it. Virgil, describing the coming golden age, says: “The Assyrian amomum shall spring up as a common plant” (“ Eclogue” iv., 25; compare “ Eclogue” iii, 89). Forbiger, (Virgil) says that the best was raised in Armenia, a poorer quality in Media and Pontus.
Fine flour (ceuidaduv). Only here in the New Testament.
REVELATION OF JOHN. 553 Cattle («tjvn). See on Luke x. 34.
Merchandise of horses. JJerchandise is not in the text. It resnmes the construction of youov merchandise with the genitive in ver. 12.
Chariots (fedav). A Latin word though of Gallic origin, rheda. It had four wheels.
14. The fruits (% ow@pa). Originally, the late swmmer or early autumn; then, generally, used of the ripe fructs of trees. Only here in the New Testament. Compare the compound bIvoTrmpivda autwmn (trees). See on whose fruit withereth, Jude 12, and compare summer-fruzts, Jer. xl. 10.
That thy soul lusted after (ris éiuplas ris spuyijs cov). Lit., of the desire of thy soul.
Dainty (Avrapa). From Adros grease. Hence, literally, fat. Only here in the New Testament. Homer uses it once in the sense of oily or shiny with oil, as the skin anointed after a bath. “Their heads and their fair faces shining” (‘‘ Odyssey,” xv., 332). So Aristophanes (“ Plutus,” 616), and of oly, wnctuous dishes (“ Frogs,” 163). Of the oily smoothness of a calm sea, as by Theocritus. The phrase Awzapol modes shining feet, i.e., smooth, without wrinkle, is frequent in Homer. Thus, of Aga- memnon rising from his bed: “ Beneath his shining feet he bound the fair sandals” (‘“TIliad,” ii., 44). Also of the condition of life; rich, comfortable: so Homer, of a prosperous old age, “ Odyssey,” xi., 136. Of things, bright, fresh. Of soil, fruct- ful. The city of Athens was called Xurapal, a favorite epithet. Aristophanes plays upon the two senses bright and greasy, say- ing that if any one flatteringly calls Athens bright, he attaches to it the honor of sardines—oiliness (“ Acharnians,” 638, 9).
Goodly (Aapmpa). A too indefinite rendering. Better, Rev., sumptuous. See on Luke xxiii. 11; Jas. ii. 2. Mostly in the New Testament of clothing. See on ch. xv. 6.
5d4 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. 16. Decked (xeypuowpévn). See on ch. xvii. 4.
17. Shipmaster (cuBepyytns). From KuBepvdw to govern. Strictly, steersman. Only here and Acts xxvii. 11.