The Sabbath
JUVENAL.—The Jews, to whom every seventh, day was a blank, and formed not any part of their life.—Sat., V.
SENECA.—They lost the seventh part of their life in keeping their Sabbaths, and injured themselves by abstaining from the performance of many necessary things in such times.—In A. Clarke's Comment.
The Last Treasure
REV. JOSEPH ROBERTS.—The people of the East retain their little valuables, such as jewels and rich robes, to the last extremity. To part with that which has perhaps been a kind of heirloom in the family, is like parting with life. Have they sold the last wreck of their other property? are they on the verge of death? The emaciated members of the family are called together, and someone undertakes the heart-rending task of proposing such a bracelet or armlet, anklet or ear-ring, or the pendant of the forehead, to be sold. For a moment all are silent, till the mother or daughters burst into tears; and then the contending feelings of hunger, and love for their “pleasant things," alternately prevail. In general, the conclusion is to pledge, and not to sell, their much-Loved ornaments.—Orient. Illust., p. 480.
Affliction
SENECA.—The man is mistaken who thinks the gods afflict any one willingly. They cannot do so.—Epist., 95.
Marine Mammals
Lam. 4:33Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. (Lamentations 4:3).—Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones. PROF. H. E. TRISTRAM, LL. D., F. R. S.—The prophet here exhibits a knowledge of the habits of the whale tribe, which proves his familiarity with some species, at least, of these marine mammals. It is well known that the whales, grampuses, porpoises, and dolphins, are not fishes, but air-breathing mammals, adapted to an aquatic life, which bring forth their young alive and suckle them.—Nat. Hist. of Bible, p. 152.
Hanging by the Hand
REV. JOSEPH ROBERTS.—No punishment is more common than this in the East, especially for slaves and refractory children. Has a master an obstinate slave? has he committed some great offense with his hands? several men are called, who tie the offender's hands, and hoist him to the roof, till he begs fox forgiveness. School-boys, who are in the habit of playing truant, are also thus punished. To tell a man that you will hang him by the hands is extremely provoking. See, then, the lamentable condition of the princes in Babylon: they were “hanged up by their hands," as common slaves.—Orient. Illust., p. 482.
Foxes in Zion
REV. HENRY J. VAN-LENNEP, D. D.—The jackal and the fox were called it Hebrew by one and the same name, shual; and in many respects they resemble each other. They both burrow in the ground, and alike frequent old ruins. We have started up the jackal amidst the fallen temples of Baalbec and other remains of antiquity, and have repeatedly spied the fox running along the top of an old wall.—Bible Lands, p. 278.