As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

(As for) my people, children (are) their oppressors, and women rule over them - (see .)

Oppressors - literally, exactors; i:e., exacting princes (). They who ought to be protectors are exactors: as unqualified for rule as "children," as effeminate as "women." Perhaps it is also implied that they were under the influence of their harem, the women of their court.

O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err - Hebrew, they which call thee blessed (meashreka); namely, the false prophets, who flatter the people with promises of safety in sin: as the political 'rulers,' are meant in the first clause.

And destroy the way of thy paths () - the right way set forth in the law. "Destroy" - Hebrew (Billeehu), swallow up; i:e., cause so utterly to disappear that not a vestige of it is left.

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