(Judges 15:13; Psalm 2:3; 129:4), and measuring ground (2 Samuel 8;2;
Psalm 78:55). Figuratively, death is spoken of as the giving way of the
tent-cord (Job 4:21. “Is not their tent-cord plucked up?” R.V.). To gird
one’s self with a cord was a token of sorrow and humiliation. To stretch a
line over a city meant to level it with the ground (Lamentations 2:8). The
“cords of sin” are the consequences or fruits of sin (Proverbs 5:22). A
“threefold cord” is a symbol of union (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The “cords of a
man” (Hos. 11:4) means that men employ, in inducing each other, methods
such as are suitable to men, and not “cords” such as oxen are led by. Isaiah
(5:18) says, “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and
sin as it were with a cart rope.” This verse is thus given in the Chaldee
paraphrase: “Woe to those who begin to sin by little and little, drawing sin
by cords of vanity: these sins grow and increase till they are strong and are
like a cart rope.” This may be the true meaning. The wicked at first draw
sin with a slender cord; but by-and-by their sins increase, and they are
drawn after them by a cart rope. Henderson in his commentary says: “The
meaning is that the persons described were not satisfied with ordinary
modes of provoking the Deity, and the consequent ordinary approach of
his vengeance, but, as it were, yoked themselves in the harness of iniquity,
and, putting forth all their strength, drew down upon themselves, with
accelerated speed, the load of punishment which their sins deserved.”
- CORIANDER Hebrews gad, (Exodus 16:31; Numbers 11:7), seed to
which the manna is likened in its form and colour. It is the Coriandrum
sativum of botanists, an umbelliferous annual plant with a round stalk,
about two feet high. It is widely cultivated in Eastern countries and in the
south of Europe for the sake of its seeds, which are in the form of a little
ball of the size of a peppercorn. They are used medicinally and as a spice.
The Greek name of this plant is korion or koriannon, whence the name
“coriander.” - CORINTH a Grecian city, on the isthmus which joins the Peloponnesus
to the mainland of Greece. It is about 48 miles west of Athens. The ancient
city was destroyed by the Romans (B.C. 146), and that mentioned in the
New Testament was quite a new city, having been rebuilt about a century
afterwards and peopled by a colony of freedmen from Rome. It became
under the Romans the seat of government for Southern Greece or Achaia
(Acts 18:12-16). It was noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and
immoral and vicious habits of the people. It had a large mixed population