Cord: Frequently used in its proper sense, for fastening a tent
(Exodus 35:18; 39:40) yoking animals to a cart
(Isaiah 5:18) binding prisoners
(Judges 15:13; Psalms 2:3; 129:4) and measuring ground
(2 Samuel 8:2; Psalms 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"
(Hosea 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."
