_Place. It was going to be destroyed, and the cares of a family might interrupt the prophet. The Fathers believe that Jeremias never married, (see St. Jerome in chap. xxii. Isidor.) which was then a rare example. (Calmet) --- He always lived a single life, and not only in time of tribulation. (St. J... [ Continue Reading ]
_Illnesses, denoting God's wrath. (St. Jerome) --- Earth. The privation of sepulture was accounted one of the greatest evils._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Feasting: usual at burials for all relations. (Calmet) --- This custom reduced many to poverty. (Josephus, Jewish Wars ii. 1.) --- Sed cænam funerishæres_ Negliget iratus quod rem curtaverit. (Pers. vi.) --- _Mourn, if thou shouldst meet a funeral, Luke vii. 32._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cut. Moses prohibited this being done in honour of Adonis, Leviticus xix. 27., Deuteronomy xiv. 1., and Ezechiel xxvii. 31. "The custom of cutting the arms and hair still subsists in Judea," says St. Jerome; and in other countries. (Plut.[Plutarch?] Herodotus iv. 71.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cup. Most exquisite things were sent on such occasions. (Buxtorf, Syn. xxxv.) (Proverbs xxxi. 6., Tobias iv. 18., and John xi. 19.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Feasting. Hebrew, "of drinking," in times of joy._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fathers. Hence you are justly partakers of their punishment, Matthew xxiii. 32. (Calmet) --- A continuance in sin brings on severe punishments; after which, God again shews mercy. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gods. Elohim, "masters," &c., chap. xvii. 4. Chaldean, "idolatrous nations."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fathers. He joins consolation with distressing predictions, and alludes to the redemption of mankind, of which the return of the Jews was the most striking pledge._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rocks. They shall be found in all their lurking places, Ezechiel xii. 12., and Habacuc i. 4. (Calmet) --- The apostles shall save them. (Origen) --- The Medes and Persians shall grant them liberty; or rather Nabuchodonosor shall fish at first, and afterwards hunt or destroy more of the Jews. (Calme... [ Continue Reading ]
_Double: enormous. (Haydock) (Chap. xvii. 18.) --- I will punish them doubly. --- Carcasses. So he styles the victims, or idols, the representations of dead men._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Them. After the captivity many were converted, Esther viii., and 1 Esdras vi. 21. Edom was forced to receive circumcision. But this was nothing in comparison with the crowds which embraced the gospel._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make gods. This consideration alone suffices to shew their absurdity. (Calmet) --- "Man must now be merciful to god!" (Tertullian, Apol.) --- No one can make even a man, much less a god. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XVI. _ Power, in taking vengeance on idolatry. --- Lord. "He who is;" (Calmet) Jehova. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]