Days, before the destruction of Sennacherib's army; (ver. 6.; Menochius) though some suppose that Ezechias was afflicted with sickness, because he had not shewn sufficient gratitude for his deliverance, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 24. (Eusebius and St. Jerome, in Isaias xxxix. (Calmet) --- But it might b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wall, towards the temple; (Chaldean, &c.) or that he might be less distracted, and indulge his grief without restraint._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before thee. The saints of the old law frequently mention their good works, (Psalm vii. 9., &c., and 2 Esdras xiii. 14.) which is less common in those of the new. When God rewards our good works, he only crowns his own gifts. (Calmet) --- Ezechias had sincerely desired to please God, though he migh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Court. Hebrew her, "city:" but in the margin, (Calmet) etsor. Septuagint Greek aule, "hall," or court, is retained, and followed by the Chaldean. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "the middle court." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Day, dating from the time when Isaias spoke. (Tostat) --- This shewed that the cure was miraculous, and not effected by natural remedies only. (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Assyrians. It is commonly supposed that this alludes to Sennacherib. But it might refer to his son, who was sending an army, Isaias xx. 1. We ought not to alter the scriptural order of the transactions, without cogent reasons._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Figs; dried. They are very serviceable in various disorders of the throat, to mullify, &c. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxiii. 3.) (Aldrov. ii.) --- St. Jerome (in Isaias xxxviii.) acknowledges that they might help to removed the disorder. Grotius is of a contrary opinion; (Calmet) and this would enh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Signs. He is not incredulous, but gives the prophet an occasion of declaring by what authority he spoke thus. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Lines, according to the usual course of the sun. An instantaneous motion of this kind would, in reality, be as difficult, as the retrogradation. But it might not strike the people so much. (Haydock) --- Some take the lines to designate hours. But the sun is never up twenty hours in that country; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Dial. Hebrew also, "steps." St. Jerome confesses that he followed Symmachus in Isaias xxxviii. 7. Whether this dial resembled one of ours, (Grotius) or was made in the form of steps, (St. Cyril, hom. 3, in Isaias, &c.) or rather of a half globe, (Calmet) after the Babylonian fashion, (Vitruvius ix.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Berodach, or Merodac Baladan, Isaias xxxix. 1. (Calmet) --- The latter was his father; the famous Nabonassar. (Du Hamel) --- Letters, or books, Isaias. --- Sick. They came to congratulate him on his recovery, and also (Menochius) to inquire of the wonder that had happened upon the earth. God left h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoiced, at being honoured by so great a prince, (Menochius) who afterwards defeated Asarhaddon. (Tirinus) --- Hebrew, "hearkened unto them." But the sense of the Vulgate is preferable, and the construction of the original seems to require it, as it is also understood by the Septuagint and Syriac,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Babylon, under the last kings of Juda. It cannot be explained of Sennacherib, chap. xviii. 15._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eunuchs; servants, Daniel i. 3. We only read of Manasses, who was taken to Babylon. (Calmet) --- But he might have many brothers, who might be reduced to a menial condition; (Salien) as the text seems to refer to the immediate sons of Ezechias. (Haydock) --- It may, however, be explained of his des... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let. Hebrew, "and he added, let," &c. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "he said, is it not good, if peace and truth (or a solid and desirable peace) be in my days?" He is not indifferent about his family, as the Jews would insinuate (Eusebiuis and St. Jerome, in Isaias xxxix. 7, 8.) from the prophet's add... [ Continue Reading ]
_City. Probably before it was besieged by Sennacherib, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 4. --- Juda, and in the works of Isaias, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 32., and Isaias xxxvii., xxxviii., and xxxix. The prophet gives us the canticle of this pious king, who shone with so great splendour, and did so much for the... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XX.... [ Continue Reading ]