Her princes were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their appearance was of sapphire:
All Commentaries on Lamentations 4:7 Go To Lamentations 4
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Old ivory. Whiteness shows its age. (Pliny, iii. 8.)
As it grows old it turns yellow, and loses much of its value. But the ancients had the art of dyeing it scarlet. (Virgil, Æneid xii.; Homer, Iliad iv.; Ovid ii. Am. v.) (Calmet)
Hebrew poninim may signify (Haydock) "pearls "the shells of which are stained with a delicate red; though the epithet ruddy may mean "shining "in which sense purpureus is used. (Horace, iv. Od. 1.)
The complexion of the Nazarites was fair, with a mixture of red, Canticle of Canticles v. 10. They were probably clothed in white, and were highly respected, 1 Machabees iii. 49., Amos ii. 11., and Numbers vi. 18. (Calmet)
