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.
Music, as well as wailing attends funerals, usually in the east; so we read, “When Jesus was come to the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels making a noise.” (Matthew 9:23.) But the word here translated minstrels, is the same which in Revelation 18:22, is translated “pipers.”
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 14:7. 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
Many of the Jews went to comfort Martha and Mary, concerning their brother. (John 11:31, 33, 36, 45.) That is, to mourn with them; and this will explain how it was that so many were present at the raising of Lazarus. The same custom still exists.
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 22:22, for instance; where the key of the house of David is represented as being put upon the Redeemer’s shoulder. And again, in Isa. 9:6, “And the government shall be upon His shoulder.” The key to open and shut at His pleasure, (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 5:4.) Probably the key hole; and a most effective way it was for opening the heart of the sleepy Bride.