customs.

of gold. Either of these interpretations would be consistent with Eastern Roberts suggests that, inasmuch as in verses 6 and 7 mention is made of the manner in which one should approach a king, Solomon in this verse had before his mind the presents which are sometimes made to Oriental monarchs-golden ornaments in the shape of fruit, placed on highly polished silver salvers.

466.-SNOW USED IN SUMMER.

XXV, 18. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

It is evident that this cannot refer to the coming of winter weather in summer, since the application of the figure supposes something desirable, which certainly could not be said of a fall of snow in harvest time. The custom, so common in the East to-day, of cooling wines with snow or ice, was doubtless practiced in the time of Solomon. Mount Lebanon supplies a large country in its neighborhood from the inexhaustible stores of snow upon its top. The snow is mixed with the wine, thus making the latter more palatable; so a faithful messenger is a source of refreshment to "the soul of his masters."

467.-HINGES.

XXVI, 14. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

The hinges of Eastern houses are not like ours, but consist of pivots inserted into sockets both above and below. In the Hauran there are still standing stone houses with stone slabs for doors, having pivots cut out of the same and turning in sockets prepared for them in the wall of the house.

468.-THE NUMBER SEVEN.

XXVI, 25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

The number seven is used frequently in Scripture, and expresses the idea of completeness or fullness. Thus the text represents the hypocrite as having a heart filled with abominations. This figurative use of the number seven obtains in some parts of the East at the present day. It is frequently employed to signify an indefinite number, but always a large number, and hence conveys the idea of sufficiency. The Scripture passages where the word " seven " is used are too numerous to be quoted here. They are scattered all through the Bible, especially in the prophetical books; the book of Revelation making most frequent symbolical use of the word.

The interesting question, Why the number seven should be regarded a perfect number? is one the discussion of which does not fall within the scope assigned to this work. Those who desire information on this subject, and also on the general question of the sacred numbers used in the Bible, may consult, in addition to the various Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias, Stuart on the Apocalypse, in his Introduction, § 7, "Numerosity of the Apocalypse," vol. i, p. 130; and in Excursus II, "On the Symbolical Use of Numbers in the Apocalypse," vol. ii, p. 409. Dr. Whedon also has a very valuable and characteristic note on the same subject in his Commentary on the Gospels, vol. ii, p. 77.

469.-LEAKY ROOFS.

XXVII, 15. A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. See also chap. xix, 18.

Reference is undoubtedly made here to the frequent leaks to which the flat roofs of Eastern houses are subject. Having merely a covering of earth, rolled smooth and hard, (see note on Psa. cxxix, 6,) a heavy rain will soon succeed in finding its way through, when the drops will fall into the room below, thus making it uncomfortable, if not actually uninhabitable. Travelers are frequently disturbed in this manner during violent storms, sometimes being obliged to change their quarters in the middle of the night.

XXVII, 22.

470.-MORTARS.

Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

91.-EGYPTIAN MORTAR.

Mortars, for cracking grain by pounding with a pestle, are often used in the East. They are made of metal, earthenware, wood, or stone, the last being the most common material. The pestle is usually about five feet long. Sometimes two pestles are used at the same time for one mortar, the two persons holding them striking alternate blows, like blacksmiths at an anvil. The ancient Israelites used the mortar for heating their manna. Num. xi, 8.

There is no evidence that the Hebrews ever administered punishment literally in the way indicated in the text, but it has been done among other nations. Beating to death in a mortar is a State punishment which is some

times inflicted in Turkey and in India.

471.—BUTTER-MAKING.

XXX, 83. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

so the

There is but little in the Eastern mode of preparing butter that is similar to our churning. The milk is put into a bag or bottle, made of the skin of a goat or of a buffalo, and is agitated in various ways until the butter, such as it is, comes. See note on Gen. xviii, 8. Sometimes the skin containing the milk is shaken to and fro, or beaten with sticks. Sometimes it is placed on the ground and trodden upon. Thus Job says, "I washed my steps with butter." Jcb xxix, 6. Again, it is pressed or squeezed with the hands, so that the contents become agitated and gradually coagulate. This last method is probably referred to in the text. There is a beauty in the original which does not appear in our English version. The word mits is thrice repeated, but is translated by three different terms: "churning," "wringing," "forcing." It literally means "pressing" or "squeezing," just as the skin bag is pressed or squeezed for the production of butter. The nose treated in a similar manner will bleed, and wrath which is thus "pressed" will result in strife.

ECCLESIASTES.

472.-WHITE GARMENTS.

IX, 8. Let thy garments be always white.

In the warm countries of the East white clothing is more frequently and generally worn than with us. This allusion to white garments is a beautiful figurative exhortation to perpetual purity of character, and one that would be readily appreciated by the Oriental mind. "May God blacken his face" is a common imprecation in the East. Mohammed is often called "He of the white face." In the Bible there are a number of references to white garments as typical of purity. In Dan. vii, 9, the Deity is represented as clad in a "garment white as snow." When Jesus was transfigured "his raiment was white as the light." Matt. xvii, 2. The angels appeared in white robes when the disciples visited the tomb of their risen Lord, (Matt. xxviii, 3; Mark xvi, 5; Luke xxiv, 4; John xx, 12,) and also when he ascended into heaven. Acts i, 10. The redeemed are to be clothed in white. Rev. vii, 13; xix, 14.

XI, 1.

473.-BREAD ON THE WATERS.

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Many interpreters are of the opinion that there is here an allusion to the manner of sowing rice in Egypt, that is, by scattering it broadcast in the mud, or upon the overflowing waters of the Nile. Others, however, dispute this, claiming that there is no evidence of the cultivation of rice having been introduced into Egypt as early as the days of Solomon. These commentators consider the expression merely figurative without being based on any actual custom.

THE SONG OF SOLOMON.

474.-TENTS.

I, 5. I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Tents were among the early habitations of man, though not the earliest, since they were not introduced until the time of Jabal, who was in the seventh generation from Adam. See Gen. iv, 20. The first tents were doubtless made of skins, though afterward when the process of weaving became known they were made, as they are at this day, of cloth of camels' hair, or of goats' hair, spun by the women. The latter is the material most commonly used by the Arabs, and since the goats are usually black, or a very dark brown, the tents exhibit the same appearance. It was thus in the days of Solomon with the tents made by the descendants of the Ishmaelitish Kedar. These tents individually are not very beautiful objects, but when arranged in the form of a circular encampment, with the cattle inclosed by the circle of tents, and the sheikh's tent in the center, they present a picturesque appearance. Balaam was impressed with the beauty of such a scene when he beheld the vast encampment of the Israelites, and exclaimed, How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!" Num. xxiv, 5. The Arab tents are of various sizes, according to the number of the family or the wealth of the proprietor. The number of poles to a tent varies from one to nine. Some tents are circular in shape, some square, and others oblong. The covering is spread over the poles, which are fastened in the ground. The edges of the cover have leather loops, to which are attached the cords of the tent, which are sometimes stretched out tight and fastened