stupifying potions. At the time of execution, they gave the
malefactor a grain of frankincense in a cup of wine, in order to stupify
and render him less sensible of pain. This custom is traced to the
charge of the wise man: “Give strong drink to him that is ready to
perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts,” Prov. xxxiv, 6. The
prophet makes an allusion to the powerful effects of this stupifying
draught, in that prediction which announces the judgments of God upon
the empire of Babylon: “Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and
cause all the nations to whom I send thee to drink it. And they shall
drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send
among them,” Jer. xxv, 15, 16. The Jews, according to the custom of
their country, gave our Lord wine mingled with myrrh at his crucifixion.
See CROSS.
malefactor a grain of frankincense in a cup of wine, in order to stupify
and render him less sensible of pain. This custom is traced to the
charge of the wise man: “Give strong drink to him that is ready to
perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts,” Prov. xxxiv, 6. The
prophet makes an allusion to the powerful effects of this stupifying
draught, in that prediction which announces the judgments of God upon
the empire of Babylon: “Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and
cause all the nations to whom I send thee to drink it. And they shall
drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send
among them,” Jer. xxv, 15, 16. The Jews, according to the custom of
their country, gave our Lord wine mingled with myrrh at his crucifixion.
See CROSS.