After he had gone, his servants came and saw that the doors of the upper room were locked. They said, “Surely he is covering his feet in the upper room.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 24. Door. Lyranus would prefer porticum, “the porch,” as the Chal. explains the Hebrew by exedra, a portico highly ornamented with pillars and seats, where the princes formerly used to administer justice. Homer give a grand description of the portico of Alcinous. Odys. Bible.—See that of Solomon described, 3 Kennicott. 7:6. Calmet.—The Rom. Septuagint adds after prostada, what may perhaps be a second version, “and he went through those who were drawn up,” of the guards. He shewed no signs of fear. Bible.—It was not necessary for him to take the key with him, as a common one was used for several chambers, and was necessary only to unloose some bands, with which the doors were fastened. The keys in the East are very large, and of a very different construction from ours. Calmet.—Nature. Hebrew “he covereth his feet.” The ancients did not wear breeches: they covered themselves with great care. Calmet. See Deuteronomy 23:13. Bible.—Parlour. Hebrew “chamber.” Septuagint “bed-chamber.”
or, “relieving himself”.