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Rth_4:11 And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
Ver. 11. We are witnesses.] And will be ready to help the truth in necessity. "A faithful witness will not lie," saith Solomon. Among the Turks, those that bear false witness have their tongues shaved and washed in vinegar.
The Lord make the woman.] Marriage, though no sacrament, as Papists make it, yet is it to be solemnised, as here, and sanctified with prayer; as being a holy ordinance, and an honourable estate.
That is come into thy house.] Or, Shortly is to come, and to share with thee in all. The heathen truly saith, that every man when he marrieth bringeth either a good or an evil spirit into his house; and so maketh it either a heaven or a hell.
Like Rachel and like Leah.] Amiable as Rachel, fruitful as Leah: both are from God, and to be prayed for, as here. Love is the inward cement of married couples: fruitfulness furthereth love betwixt them.
And do thou worthily in Ephratah.] Te fortem et strenuum praebe; show thyself a worthy man, as 1Ki_1:52; do good among thy people, as Eze_18:18; be public spirited, though to private disadvantage, and this way get renown. Some render it, Compara tibi opes, vel potestatem, Get thee riches or power: for marriage requireth maintenance, neither is it a little that the gulf of housekeeping swalloweth up.
And be famous {a} in Bethlehem.] Fame waiteth upon worth. The poets feign that Achilles’s sepulchre in Sigaeum is surrounded with green amaranth. Agesilaus, being asked how åíäïîéá , renown, may be attained, answered, Si quis loquatur quae sunt optima, et faciat quae sunt honestissima. If a man set himself to say well and do well; but especially the latter. Cicero worthily preferreth Cato before Socrates, Quoniam huius dicta, illius facta laudantur, because the latter is famous for his sayings, the former for his doings.
{a} Heb., voca nomen. Chald., sis vocans tibi famam.