The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 164

Rpposition, but the littter point to the goodm~n is not at home. "Goodman" is material used, which ie l•t::ll:!, etun (li,r.,E e.n old word meaning" lllAster of tbo house," heyoµ•vov), "linen yarn or threl\d," hence or hueba?d (Malt. :xx. 11, eto.); but the equivalent to "coverlets of Egyptian thread." Hebrew 1s simply "the man," which is 'l'his was of extreme fineness, costly, and probably n contemptuous way of speaking muoll prized. Dy '' carved works" (Hebrew, of the huebe.nd whom she was outmging. n\:ipr:t, chatuboth) the Authorized Version He is gone a long journey; he has gone to mu~'t refer to bed-poles or bed-boards elabo- e. place at a great distance henoe. 'l'hie ratel,r e11.rved and polished ; but the word is fact might assure her lover that he was safe better taken of coverlets striped in different from her husband's jealousy (eh. vi. 34'); colours, 'l'l'hich give the idea of richness and but she has further encouragement to offer. luxury. Vulgate, trapetib1U pictis ex .lEgypto, _Ver. _20.-He bath taken e. bag of money "embroidered rags of Egyptian work ; " Wlth ~ ; not only to defray the expenses Septuagint, tlµqwrd.1ro,s .,.o,s cl,,r' Ai-yi/7r'Tov, of the Journey (e. fact which need not be "shaggy cloth of Egypt." The mention of dwelt upon), but because he has some these articles denotes the foreign commerce pecuniary business to transact which will of the Hebrews, and their appreciation of occupy his time, and prevent his return before artistic work ( comp. Isa. xix. 9; Ezek. :xxvii. the appointed hour. And will oome home 7). The Prophet Amos (vi. 4) denounces at the day appointed; better, as the Revised those that "lie upon beds of ivory, and Version, he will come home at the full moon stretch themselves upon their couches." (in die plenai luna,, Vulge.te). K>?:;! here, and Ver. 17.-I have perfumed my bed with ;,;;:,~ Pa. lx:x:xi. 4, are rightly • tre.nelated myrrh, aloes, a.nd cinnamon. The sub- "the full moon," this rendering being sup- st.Bnccs mentioned were dissolved in or mixed ported by the Syrie.o keso, though the with water, and then sprinkled on the etymology is doubtful. As it has before couch. The love of such things is reckoned been mentioned that the night was dark as o. sign of luxury and vice (Isa.. iii. 20, (ver. 9), it is pie.in that there were still etc.). TJ1e three perfomes e.re mentioned many days to run before the moon we.s full, together in Cant. iv. 14: "myrrh, aloes, and and the husband returned. ce.ssie.," in Ps. :xlv.'8. Septuagint, "I have Ver. 21.-Thus far we have he.d the sprinkled my conch with saffron, and my adulteress introduced speaking; now the house with cinnamon." Myrrh is nowadays narrative proceeds. With her muoh fair imported chiefly from Bombay, but it seems speeoh ahe oe.med him to yield. First, she to be found in Arabie. e.nd on the coasts of influenced hia mind, and bent his will to her the Red See. and Persian Gulf. It is a purpose by her evil eloquence. The Hebrew gummy substance exuding from the bark of w01·d means "doctdne, or learning "-devil's the balsamodendron when wounded, e.nd pleading (eh. i. 5; ix. 9). St. Jerome bas possessing an aromatic odour not particularly irreti1Jit, "she netted him;" Septuagint, agreeable to modem tastes. It was one of "She caused him to go e.etre.y (cl...-E1rAdv71cr•) the ingredients of the holy oil (E:xod. :x:xx. by much converse." She talked him over, 23), and was used in the purification of though indeed he had put himself in the way women (Esth. ii. 12), e.s well as in per- of temptation, and ho.cl now no power to fuming persona and things, e.nd, mixed with resist her seductions. 'fhen with the 11.atter- aloes, in embalming dead bodies (John xix. ing of her lips she forced him; drew him 39). Aloes is the inspissated•juice of the away. Hid body followed the lead of hie lea'l'es of the aloe, a leguminous plant grow- blinded mind; he acceded to her solicita- ing in India, Cochin China, Abyssinia, aud tions. Septuagint, " With the snares of her Socotra. The ancients used the dried root lips she ran him aground (IEC:.1w>..,), drove for aromatic purposes. It is mentioned by him headlong to ruin." Bala.am (Numb. xxiv. 6). Cinnamon, which Ver. 22.-He goeth after her straightway; is the same word in Hebrew and Greek, is suddenly, as thougb, casting aside all scruples, the fragrant bark of e. tree growing in he gave himself up to the temptation, and Ceylon and India and the east coast of with no further delay accompe.uied her to Africa. the house. Septuagint, "He followed, hE>ing Ver. 18.-Let '118 take our fill of love; let cajoled (1«1r</,r,i6./s), ensnared like a silly tU intoxicate ouraeloea (inebriemur, Vulgate); bird" (see tbe article on Cepphua Larue, e.s though the reason were overthrown by in Erasmue's 'Ade.g.,' s.1J. "Gal'l'ulite.s "). As sensual passion as much as by drunkenness. an ox goeth to the slaughter. He no more The bride in Cant. i. 2 says, "Thy Jove is realizes the serious issue of his action tban Letter than wine" (see eh. v.15, 19, and note e.n irre.tione.l beast which, without previ8ion there). of the future, walks contentedly to the Ver. 19.-The temptress proceeds to en- slaughter-house, e.nd is stupidly placid in courage the youth by showing that there is the face of death. Or as a fool to the cor- DO fea.r of interruption or detection. The reotion of the ■tocks, 'fhere is some dilll• (ll[, vu. 1-27.J THE PROVERBS. 157