_Israel. They are chiefly addressed, (Chaldean; St. Jerome; Calmet) or what follows to ver. 15, regards all. (Worthington) --- Judgment. Hebrew, "a trial." --- Mercy. The want of humanity and of practical knowledge is urged. (Calmet) --- The knowledge of God includes the observance of the commandmen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blood. The successors of Jeroboam II were mostly murdered. (Calmet) --- Incestuous marriages take place. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Together. The waters shall be dried up, or infected. (Calmet) --- When the people are taken away, beasts will not long remain, Jeremias ix. 10., and Sophonias i. 2. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judge, &c. As if he would say: It is in vain to strive with them, or reprove them, they are so obstinate in evil. (Challoner) --- Priest. Such must be slain, Deuteronomy xvii. 12. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "my people are like a priest contradicted," (Haydock) or degraded. (Theodoret)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER IV. _ Prophet, both true and false. --- Night of tribulation. Hebrew and Septuagint, "I have compared thy mother to the night."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Silent. Septuagint, "like those who had," &c. --- Knowledge. Jeroboam I had appointed unlawful priests, and some of the house of Aaron went over to him, and were excluded from officiating at Jerusalem, after the captivity, 1 Kings xii. 31., and Ezechiel xliv. 10. Knowledge is always expected of pri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Me. A father rejoices in a numerous offspring. But my people take occasion to offend me the more they increase. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sins: victims. (Worthington) --- Iniquity; or "they seek for support in their propitiatory offerings," and lull the people asleep in their sins. The priests of the golden calf imitated the sacred rites of Moses. It would have been too difficult to make the people change altogether._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Priest. They are equally dissolute, and shall meet the like punishment. --- Devices, or thoughts. (Calmet) --- Cogitatio mali operis pænas luet. (St. Jerome)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ceased. Hebrew, "increased." They have no children living. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "let them not succeed."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Understanding. Literally, "heart." (Haydock) --- Some sins darken reason more than others; but none so much as spiritual fornication. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Staff. It was customary to use this mode of divination, (Ezechiel xxi. 21.) and likewise incense, ver. 13. --- Oak. These terms are variously rendered as the trees and stones mentioned in Scripture, will probably never be ascertained._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Visit. This is the most dreadful of God's judgments. He permits those who offend him to receive discontent from their own families. --- Effeminate, like the Galli, &c., (St. Jerome) and votaries of Priapus, 3 Kings xv. 11. Hebrew, "the consecrated women." Septuagint, "initiated," to honour a lewd i... [ Continue Reading ]
_Offend. It was more culpable for Juda to commit idolatry (as they had the temple, &c., of the true God) than for Israel, whom Jeroboam hindered from going to Jerusalem, after he had set up his golden calves. (Worthington) --- Galgal and Bethaven. Places where idols were worshipped. Bethel, which si... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wanton. Septuagint, "stung," or rendered furious. Thus Israel gives way to ungovernable passions. The people shall be led into captivity, and have room to range about._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Partaker. Hebrew, "tied to abominations." --- Alone. His case is desperate. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "he has placed stumbling-blocks for himself." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Separated from that allowed to God's people, Deuteronomy xii. 12. Hebrew, "insipid," or spoiled. Chaldean, "their princes have sought after banquets." Septuagint, "He has provoked ( surpassed) the Chanaanites." These two have not read as we do. --- They. Hebrew, "their shields ( chiefs) have loved... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wings. They shall be quickly removed hence. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]