Look not thou upon the wine when it is red
Or, "because it is red" F18; or shows itself red. Which was the only wine used in the land of Canaan, or, however, the most esteemed of, and that most of art which had the best colour; when it had a good, bright, red colour, or sparkled, and looked bright and beautiful, so the word signifies; and then it should not be looked upon: not that it is unlawful to look upon the colour of wine, and thereby judge of its goodness; but it should not be looked upon with a greedy eye, so as vehemently to desire it, which will lead to an intemperate use of it; just as looking upon a woman, so as to lust after her, is forbidden, ( Matthew 5:28 ) ; when it giveth his colour in the cup:
or, its eye in the cup F19; such a bright, brisk, and beautiful colour, as is like a bright and sparkling eye. Here is a various reading; it is written in the text, "in the purse" F20; it is read in the margin, "in the cup"; and Jarchi's note takes in both,
``he that drinks wine sets his eye on the cup; and the vintner sets his on his purse;''[when] it moveth itself aright;