Verse 9
9. Forty camels’ burden “There is often in these countries,” observes Harmer, “a great deal of pomp and parade in presenting gifts, and that not only when they are presented to princes, or governors of provinces, but where they are of a more private nature. ‘Through ostentation,’ says one writer, ‘they never fail to load upon four or five horses what might easily be carried by one.’ In like manner as to jewels, trinkets, and other things of value, they place in fifteen dishes what a single plate would very well hold.” Accordingly, we must not understand that this present for Elisha, though doubtless very large and valuable, and worthy of the king, was so great that it required forty camels to carry it, but must understand it in the light of this Oriental custom of making on such occasions as great a display as possible.
Shall I recover Literally, Shall I live?
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