VII. (m). _Thirteenth Discourse:_ — _Also Against Adultery_ (Proverbs 7). (3) BIND THEM UPON THY FINGERS. — See above on Proverbs 3:3. The thong of the phylactery or fillet for the left arm was wound seven times round it, and as many times round the middle finger.... [ Continue Reading ]
AMONG THE SIMPLE ONES. — He was not yet vicious, only empty-headed.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WENT THE WAY... — The word is used of the slow step of a religious procession (2 Samuel 6:13), here of the sauntering of the idle youth up and down the street within view of the temptress’s house.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE TWILIGHT... — He has no excuse of sudden temptation to offer; from twilight till dark night he had trifled with danger, and now at last his “calamity comes” (Proverbs 6:15).... [ Continue Reading ]
SUBTIL OF HEART. — Feigning love to her husband and devotion to her lovers, yet caring for none, only to satisfy her own passions.... [ Continue Reading ]
HER FEET ABIDE NOT IN HER HOUSE. — She is not a “keeper at home,” as St. Paul (Titus 2:5) would have Christian matrons to be.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE PEACE OFFERINGS WITH ME. — Rather, _upon me, i.e.,_ I had vowed them, and to-day I have accomplished my vow. The peace-, or thank-offering as it is also rendered, was purely voluntary, in token of thanksgiving for some mercy. The breast and right shoulder of the victim were given to the pries... [ Continue Reading ]
CARVED WORKS. — Rather, _with coloured or striped coverlets._ For another notice of the extravagance of the women of Jerusalem, see Isaiah 3, and for a description of the trade of Tyre, the great supplier of foreign luxuries, see Ezek. xxvii Myrrh is said to be a natural product of Arabia, aloes and... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOODMAN. — Literally, _the man;_ she does not even call him “my husband.” AT THE DAY APPOINTED. — Rather, _at the full moon,_ a fortnight later, as now it would seem to have been new moon, when the nights are dark.... [ Continue Reading ]
OR AS A FOOL TO THE CORRECTION OF THE STOCKS. — This sense is only gained by a transposition of the original. It has been attempted to translate it literally “and as if in fetters to where one corrects fools,” _i.e.,_ to prison.... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL A DART STRIKE THROUGH HIS LIVER. — These words must be taken in a parenthesis. THAT IT IS FOR HIS LIFE. — _i.e._, at the cost of it, when “his flesh and body are consumed,” and remorse has seized upon him (Proverbs 5:11).... [ Continue Reading ]