_Abominations, or sins, (Menochius) marrying with infidels, contrary to the law, Exodus xxxiv. 15., and Deuteronomy vii. 3. (Du Hamel) --- Malachy[Malachias] (ii. 11.) reprehends this conduct, and threatens both rulers and people who tolerate it, with God's indignation. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_First. Or "was in this first transgression," incurred by those who returned with Zorobabel; or "was concerned in this very heinous transgression;" in transgressione hac prima. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "hath been chief." 3 Esdras, "and the leaders and grandees partook in this illegal affair, from i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Coat, ( tunicam) or inner garment. (Haydock) --- Mourning. Hebrew, "astonished." (Syriac) (Montanus) (Calmet) (Protestants) --- Septuagint, "alone." 3 Esdras, "pensive and in grief." (Haydock) --- Arabic, "not uttering a word." See Job i. 20., and ii. 8. This was the ordinary posture of people in s... [ Continue Reading ]
_To me, in the court of the temple, chap. x. 1. (Menochius) --- Sacrifice, which was offered last of all, about sun-set, Exodus xxix. 38. The Jews commonly protract their fasts till the stars appear. (Leo, p. 3, art. 8.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_At this day. Notwithstanding the favourable decrees of Cyrus, &c., the greatest part of the people continued in captivity, being dispersed, some into Egypt, others into distant countries, beyond the Euphrates. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
As a. Protestants, "for a little space, grace hath been shewed from the Lord," (Haydock) and yet we are again irritating Him! (Calmet) --- A pin, or nail, here signifies a small settlement or holding; which Esdras begs for, to preserve even a part of the people, who, by their great iniquity, had inc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fence. Hebrew gader, "the name which the Carthaginians" gave to Cadiz, "as it signifies a fence," or an inclosure. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xxii.) (Calmet) --- Some Latin manuscripts read spem, "hope." (Lyranus) --- The Tigurin version understands the wall of Jerusalem, built in a hurry. (Menochi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mouth, like a vessel brim-full. (Menochius) --- Protestants, "from one end ot the other." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peace. Alliance, (Menochius) or advantage. See Psalm cxxi. 8. Moses had thus proscribed the Moabites, &c., as he had done the people of Chanaan still more severely. The Israelites were to execute God's decrees, Deuteronomy xxiii. 6. (Calmet) --- The obstinate idolaters were to be exterminated._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saved us. Protestants, "hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve and hast given us such deliverance as this." Septuagint, "hast made our transgressions light," (Haydock) not weighing them with rigid severity. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_That. Hebrew, "should we again break, &c....Wouldst thou not be angry?" &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_To be saved from our iniquities, which are still upon us. (Haydock) --- We confess that, if we should be treated according to our deserts, we could expect no redress. But we trust in thy mercies, which have hitherto supported and brought us back from slavery. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER IX.... [ Continue Reading ]