She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.
Ver. 18. She is a tree of life.] A tree that giveth life and quickeneth: or, as one interprets it, a most assured sign of eternal life; whatsoever it is, he alludeth, no doubt, to the tree mentioned in Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22. See Trapp " Gen 2:9 " See Trapp " Gen 3:22 "
And happy is every one that retaineth her.] Though despised by the world as a poor sneak, a contemptible capative. We usually call a poor man a poor soul; a poor soul may be a rich Christian; as Roger, surnamed Paupere censu, was son to Roger Bishop of Salisbury, who made him Chancellor of England. a
a Goodwin's Catal., p. 388.