II. Thehairof her head is said to be like purple
II. Thehairof her head is said to be like purple
Purple-colored hair was in great esteem
Of this color was the hair of king Nysus, according to the fable;[4146] and so the hair of Evadne and of the muses were of a violet color;[4147] the hair of Ulysses is said to be like to the hyacinth flower,[4148] which is of a purple or violet color; and Milton[4149] calls the first Adam's hair, hyacinthine locks; and here in a figurative sense, the second Adam's hair is said to be like purple. By which may be meant, either the thoughts of her heart, which are many and numerous, and which proceed from thence; as the hair does from the head; and when these are fixed upon, and are employed in the contemplation of a crucified Christ, then may they be said to be like purple; and then are they taken notice of by Christ, and are exceeding delightful to him. Though I rather think, that believers are here meant, as I have observed on chapter 4:1 and 5:11, who grow on Christ, the head, and receive their strength and nourishment from him; and these may be said to be like purple, 1. Because of that royal and princely dignity they axe advanced to by Christ; who has made them "kings and priests to God and his father;" for this is a color that is usually worn by great personages,[4150] such as all believers are. 2. Because of their being washed in Christ's purple blood; for so are both their persons and their garments; they are tinctured with it, and are of this dye. 3. Because of the sufferings which they undergo for the sake of Christ and his gospel; and especially such dear and precious servants of Christ may be said to be as purple, who have spilled their blood, and laid down their lives on his account.
Though some[4151] think, that not the hair, but either the hair-lace, or the pins, or some such small things, by which the hair is tied and dressed up in a beautiful order, are intended; and indeed the word is never used elsewhere for hair, and it properly signifies something small, thin and tender: and this may teach us what notice Christ takes of the meanest grace and performance of believers; every little thing that is in, or is done by a believer, looks very beautiful in Christ's eye; so far is he from despising the day of small things.