Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 28:6

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: But after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was n a God.

The word signifies primarily to be burnt: and then by burning or scalding to swell, which is accounted the ordinary symptom of the biting of a Viper; to swell or blister, as if the part was burnt with fire.

In those places where there is much more heat, there is more Venom in these Vipers. And tho some are said to live several days after they are bit by them, yet others die very suddenly upon their biting; as the known story of Cleopatra testifies. And condemned persons were sometimes put to death by Vipers set unto their breasts.

A strange Extreme; so incertain and inequal are mens minds.

Marginal references: Chap 14[illegible: 2 letters] ▪