Gen 24:22, 30, 53, 38:18, 25, Exo 35:22, Num 31:50, Eze 16:11 | TSK | STEP | took. earring. or, jewel for the forehead. From the word being in the singular number, it is not likely to have been an ear-ring, or a "jewel for the forehead," but "a jewel for the nose, a nose-ring," which is in use throughout Arabia and Persia, particularly among young women. It is very properly translated [epirrinon,] "an ornament for the nose," by Symmachus; and Sir John Chardin informs us, that "it is a custom in almost all the East, for the women to wear rings in their noses, in the left nostril, which is bored low down in the middle. These rings are of gold, and have commonly two pearls and one ruby between, placed in the ring. I never saw a girl or young woman in Arabia or in all Persia, who did not wear a ring after this manner in her nostril." of half. bracelets.The word rendered "bracelet," from a root which signifies "to join or couple together," may imply whatever may clasp round the arms and legs; for rings and ornaments are worn round both by females in India and Persia. The small part of the leg, and the whole arm, from the shoulder to the wrist, are generally decorated in this way. As these were given to Rebekah for "her hands," it sufficiently distinguishes them from similar ornaments for the ankles.

Genesis 24:22

took.

30; Ex 32:2,3; Es 5:1; Jer 2:32; 1Ti 2:9,10; 1Pe 3:3,8

earring. or, jewel for the forehead.

Ex 32:2,3; Isa 3:19-23; Eze 16:11,12From the word being in the singular number, it is not likely to have been an ear-ring, or a "jewel for the forehead," but "a jewel for the nose, a nose-ring," which is in use throughout Arabia and Persia, particularly among young women. It is very properly translated [epirrinon,] "an ornament for the nose," by Symmachus; and Sir John Chardin informs us, that "it is a custom in almost all the East, for the women to wear rings in their noses, in the left nostril, which is bored low down in the middle. These rings are of gold, and have commonly two pearls and one ruby between, placed in the ring. I never saw a girl or young woman in Arabia or in all Persia, who did not wear a ring after this manner in her nostril."

of half.

23:15,16

bracelets.The word rendered "bracelet," from a root which signifies "to join or couple together," may imply whatever may clasp round the arms and legs; for rings and ornaments are worn round both by females in India and Persia. The small part of the leg, and the whole arm, from the shoulder to the wrist, are generally decorated in this way. As these were given to Rebekah for "her hands," it sufficiently distinguishes them from similar ornaments for the ankles.

Genesis 24:30

Genesis 24:53

jewels. Heb. vessels.The original word denotes vessels, utensils, instruments, furniture, or dress; and these presented by Abraham's servant might have been of various kinds.

Ex 3:22; 11:2; 12:35

brother.No mention is made of her father.

precious.This term, rendered "precious things," as may be seen in the parallel texts, is used to express exquisite fruits or delicacies, and precious plants or flowers: but here it may mean gifts in general, though rather of an inferior kind to those mentioned above.

De 33:13-16; 2Ch 21:3; Ezr 1:6; So 4:13; Isa 39:2

Genesis 38:18

Thy signet.{Chothem,} or {chothemeth,} as in ver. 25, is properly a ring-seal, with which impressions were made to ascertain property, etc. From Jer 22:24, we find that it was worn on the hand; though it might also have been suspended from the neck by a ribband, as the Arabs still wear it.

25,26; Jer 22:24; Lu 15:22

bracelets.{Pathil,} from {pathal,} to twist, wreathe, may denote either a wreath for the arm or neck, a twisted collar, or bracelet. In the former sense the LXX. render it by [ormiskon,] and Aquila and Symmachus by [strepton;] and in the latter sense, the Vulgate renders it by {armillam.} It may have been a collar by which the signet was suspended; though its being used in the plural seems to favour the opinion of its being a bracelet.

gave it her.

25,26; Ho 4:11

Genesis 38:25

Discern.

18; 37:32; Ps 50:21; Jer 2:26; Ro 2:16; 1Co 4:5; Re 20:12

Exodus 35:22

bracelets.{Chach,} either a hook or clasp to join garments together; {fibula,} as Montanus renders; or bracelets, which are hooked or clasped together; so Vulgate, {armillas.}

32:3; Nu 31:50; Isa 3:19; Eze 16:11

tablets.{Kumoz,} as Bochart thinks, a kind of girdle, swathe, or zone.

every man.

1Ch 29:6,7; 2Ch 24:9-14; Ezr 2:68,69; Ne 7:70-72; Isa 60:9,13

Mt 2:11; Mr 12:41-44

Numbers 31:50

therefore brought.The officers of the army having mustered their men, found they had not lost a man in the contest with Midian! Penetrated with gratitude for this most remarkable interposition of Providence in their favour, they now offer to Jehovah the golden jewels which they had found among the spoil, to the amount of 16,750 shekels, equal to £37,869 16s. 5d. of our money.

an oblation.

Ps 107:15,21,22; 116:12,17

gotten. Heb. found. an atonement.

Ex 30:12,15,16; Le 17:11

Ezekiel 16:11

I put.

Ge 24:22,47,53

a chain.

Ge 41:42; Pr 1:9; 4:9; So 1:10; 4:9; Isa 3:19; Da 5:7,16,29

forehead. Heb. nose.

Ge 24:22; *marg:

Isa 3:21

ear-rings.

Ge 35:4; Ex 32:2; 35:22; Nu 31:50; Jud 8:24; Job 42:11; Pr 25:12

Ho 2:13

and a.

Le 8:9; Es 2:17; Isa 28:5; La 5:16; Re 2:10; 4:4,10