Oriental customs: or an illustration of the sacred Scriptures, by an explanatory application of the customs and manners of the Eastern nations, and especially the Jews. Therein alluded to, together with observations on many difficult and obscure texts, collected from the most celebrated travellers, and the most eminent critics / by Samuel Burder.

  • Samuel Burder
Date:
1802
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Oriental customs: or an illustration of the sacred Scriptures, by an explanatory application of the customs and manners of the Eastern nations, and especially the Jews. Therein alluded to, together with observations on many difficult and obscure texts, collected from the most celebrated travellers, and the most eminent critics / by Samuel Burder. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    3*70 EPHESIANS. strangers before the God of IsraeJ ; but the Jews are said to be near to him. But now, according to the lan- guage of the apostle, there is no such difference, the believing Gentile being equally admitted with believing Jews, to the privileges of the New Jerusalem, and equally related to God as part of his family. Whitby in loc. No. 540.—iv. 8. And gave gifts unto men.] Here is an allusion to the custom of conquerors, who used to give largesses to their soldiers after a triumph. Though the Roman instances of this custom are perhaps most familiar to our minds, yet all who are acquainted with antiquity know that it was not peculiar to them. (Jud- ges v. 30.) Doddridge in loc. No. 541.—iv. 26. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.'] Many persons have observed, that this was agreeable to the Pythagorean practice, who used always, if the members of their particular society had any dif- ference With each other, to give tokens of reconciliation before the sun went down. This exhortation is peculi- arly important to prevent excessive and long-protracted anger, which might in time increase to habitual malice j a temper exceedingly unbecoming a Christian. No. 542.—iv. 28. Let him that stole, steal no more,] This exhortation, though agreeing with the first and most obvious principle of all moral duties, was neces- sary in the present instance, because in many nations it was not counted a sin to steal, nor were they ashamed of it when it was charged on them. Whitby in loc. No. 543.—v. 18. Be not drunk with wine.] It is .highly probable that here may be a particular reference