Judges 3:18 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

When he had made an end to offer the present— There is often in the Eastern countries, says the author of the Observations, a great deal of pomp and parade in presenting their gifts; and that not only when they are presented to princes or governors of provinces, but where they are of a more private nature. Thus Dr. Russell tells us, that the money which the bridegrooms of Aleppo pay for their brides is laid out in furniture for a chamber, in clothes, jewels, or ornaments of gold for the bride, whose father makes some addition, according to his circumstances; which things are sent with great pomp to the bridegroom's house three days before the wedding. The like arrangement obtains in Egypt, where these gifts are carried with great pomp to the bridegroom's house on the marriage-day itself, and immediately before the bride: carpets, cushions, mattrasses, coverlets, pignates, dishes, jewels, trinkets, plate, every thing down to the wooden sandals wrought with mother of pearl, which they call cobeal; and, through orientation, they never fail to load upon four or five horses what might easily be carried by one. In like manner, as to the jewels and other things of value, they place in fifteen dishes what a single plate would very well hold. See Maillet, Leviticus 10: p. 86. Something of this pomp seems to be referred to in this place, where we read of making an end of offering a present, and of a number of people who bare it; all which apparently points out the introducing, with great distinction as well as ceremony, every part of the present sent to Eglon, and the making use of as many hands in it as might be, conformably to the modern ritual of the Eastern courts. See 2 Kings 8:9.