Scripture Customs.

PROVERBS 27:2222Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. (Proverbs 27:22). The word “bray” signifies, to bruise, or break up into small pieces. The text is supposed to allude to the Eastern custom of bruising a criminal to death, in a large mortar, with a pestle.
Zechariah 2:5. The Eastern shepherds and travelers, protect themselves and their flocks at night, from the attacks of wild beasts, by making a fire all around them, which is kept burning till day-break.
One circumstance is very remarkable, that the cries of the women at funeral and marriage processions are so very similar in both cases, so shrill, and so loud, that an untutored ear cannot distinguish the one from the other, any more than he can distinguish the minstrel or pipers. This, in all probability, is what is referred to in 1 Corinthians 14:77And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? (1 Corinthians 14:7). Even things without life giving sounds, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall a man know whether it be a mourning or a rejoicing procession, if the sounds be the same in both eases?
The Jews, in many parts, sing or chant the 49th Psalm, during their funeral processions
In the East, the gates, and also the locks and keys are still made of wood; some of the keys are large, though probably not so large as formerly. See Isaiah 22:2222And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. (Isaiah 22:22), for instance; where the key of the house of David is represented as being put upon the Redeemer’s shoulder. And again, in Isa. 9:66For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6), “And the government shall be upon His shoulder.” The key to open and shut at His pleasure, (Revelation 3:77And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7),) and He having opened, no man can shut, and having shut, no man can open. Why? Because He, and He alone, has the key.
“My by the hole of the door.” (Song of Solomon 5:44My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. (Song of Solomon 5:4).) Probably the key hole; and a most effective way it was for opening the heart of the sleepy Bride.