7. We are led to the idea of a mere inward transaction by the symbolical names of the first wife, and of her father. On the other hand, if such a symbolical signification could not be proved, this might be used as an argument for the literal interpretation,--although, indeed, it would be only a single argument which would be obliged to yield to other counter-arguments. For it may well be conceived that the prophet, in order to give to the inward transaction more of the appearance of an outward one, should have chosen names usual at that time; just as, in a similar manner, poetry would not be satisfied with invented names used only in certain formulas and proverbs, but makes use of names which would not, at once, be recognised by every one as mere fictions.--גֹּמֶר can only mean "completion" in the passive sense. For _Segolate-forms_ in _o_ are only used to express passive and intransitive notions, and the verb גמר is found in the ignification "to be completed," in Ps. vii. 10, xii. 2. The sense in which the woman, the type of the Israelitish people, is called _completion_,--_i.e._, one who, in her whoredom, had proceeded to the highest pitch,--is so obvious from the context, as to render nugatory the argument which _Maurer_ (p. 360) has drawn from the omission of express statements on this point, in order thereby to recommend his own interpretation, which is altogether opposed to the laws of the language. A significant proper name can, in any case, convey only an allusion; but such an allusion was here quite sufficient, inasmuch as the mention of the wife's whoredom had preceded. Compare, moreover, Zech. v. 5-11, where the thought, that Israel had filled up the measure of their sins, is represented by a woman sitting in an Ephah. _Hofmann_ explains the name Gomer by "end," "utmost ruin:" "By luxury, Israel has become wanton, and hence it must come to an end, to utter ruin." But this interpretation is at variance with the context, from which it must necessarily be derived; for it is not the _punishment_, but the _guilt_ which is spoken of in the context. גמר, "Completion" (compare the גמיר, "_perfectus_," "_absolutus_," in Ezra vii. 12), is equivalent to אשת זנונים, "a wife of whoredom." The בת דבלים can only mean, "daughter of the two fig-cakes," = _filia deliciarum_ = _deliciis_ [Pg 194] _dedita_. The word "daughter" serves to indicate every relation of dependence and submission: _Gesenius_, _Thesaurus_, p. 220. Fig-cakes were considered as one of the greatest dainties; compare _Faber_ on _Harmar_. i. p. 320 ff. Sensuality was the ground of the Israelites' apostasy from the severe and strict religion of Jehovah to the idolatry of their neighbours, which was soft, sensual, and licentious. The occasion which had called it forth with their neighbours was one which rendered them favourably disposed towards it. The masculine form can offer no difficulty as to the derivation from דבלה, "fig-cake;" for the