_Babylon, when he was associated by Nabopolassar, three years before his death, the year of the world 3397. This year Joakim was taken to be conducted to Babylon, though he was afterwards permitted to remain on very hard conditions, while the sacred vessels, Daniel, &c., were taken away, and the 70... [ Continue Reading ]
_Josias. He prophesied nineteen years under him, and three under his successors._... [ Continue Reading ]
_All. We know of Joel, Habacuc, Sophonias, and Holda. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XXV.... [ Continue Reading ]
_My servant. So this wicked king is here called; because God made him his instrument in punishing the sins of his people. (Challoner) (Worthington) --- He thought himself more than man, but he was only the rod destined for the fire._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sound, or songs of women turning the mill, Matthew xxiv. 41. (Calmet) --- Lamp, or illuminations, on account of some victory, (Haydock) or festival. (Pers. v. 180.) The Jews "light a lamp for the sabbaths," (Seneca, Ep. xcv.) before they commence. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Years. Ver. 1. The neighbouring nations were also involved in this calamity, and were to be sent back by Cyrus. (Calmet) --- Another period of 70 years is specified, (chap. xxix. 10.) during which the city and temple should remain in ruins, till the second of Hystaspes, the year of the world 3485.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Punish. Literally, visit upon. (Challoner) --- Cyrus overturned the monarchy, and the city was ruined by degrees, Isaias xiii., and xiv., and xxi. 1., and Ezechiel i. 5. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kings. They perfidiously joined the Chaldeans, after making a league with Sedecias, chap. xxvii. 3. This is condemned, (Calmet) and not precisely their submitting to Nabuchodonosor, chap. xxviii. 8. Their league with Juda was indeed wrong; but the infringement of it was another crime. Septuagint is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fury. Chastisement, Isaias li. 17. --- All, who might be then at Jerusalem. Sanctius thinks Jeremias travelled into all these countries: most believe it was only done in vision. He might write to them. (Calmet) --- The cup metaphorically denotes God's wrath, Psalm lxxiv. 9. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_As, &c. He probably inserted this (Haydock) after the event, (Vatable) or the country was much distressed even under Sedecias._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pharao, who was defeated (Ezechiel xxx. 25.) coming to assist Juda, (chap. xxxvii.) and again plundered after the taking of Tyre, Ezechiel xxix. 18._... [ Continue Reading ]
_In. Hebrew, "the mixed multitude," (Exodus xii. 38.; Calmet) or "Arabs." (Grotius) --- Ausitis, near Palmyra, Job i. 1. --- Azorus, taken by the Egyptians, and afterwards by the Chaldeans, chap. xlvii. 2._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ammon. The details are given in chap. xlviii., and xlix., and Ezechiel xxv. to xxxiv., and Abdias and Sophonias._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kings. Ithobaal (Josephus, Antiquities x. 11.) had many governors under him. Nabuchodonosor besieged Tyre for 13 years, Ezechiel xxvi., &c. --- Sea, or Gibraltar. See Jos.[Josephus?], sup. v. 22. (Haydock) He had navies on the Mediterranean, Ezechiel xxx. 9._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Buz. Scenite Arabs, who cut off the hair of the eyebrows, chap. ix. 26. These Saracens left the hair below the ears long, as the Polonians and Hungarians do. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Zambri, sprung from Cethura, and dwelling in Arabia, (Calmet) or Persia, (St. Jerome) where Pliny ([Natural History?] vi. 28.) places the Zamarenians. --- Elam. Persians, (Haydock) by the sword of Alexander [the Great?], (St. Jerome) or Cyrus subdued those who were subject to the Medes, and united t... [ Continue Reading ]
_City. Jerusalem first fell a prey._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beauty. The temple, which was like the palace (Calmet) of the great king. (Haydock) --- Grapes. Great feasting was then customary. The soldiers rushing to battle, "answer" the Lord. (Septuagint) (Calmet) --- People encouraged one another by songs under the labour of the vine-press, as those in dist... [ Continue Reading ]
_Flesh. He will justify his conduct, particularly at the last day._... [ Continue Reading ]
_To nation. Jerusalem, Tyre, Syria, desert Arabia, Ammon, Idumea, and Egypt, shall fall one after another. Thus Cyrus will attack the Medes, Asia, and Babylon._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Leaders. Septuagint, "rams." He addresses the princes. --- Vessels. Septuagint, "chosen rams," fattened for slaughter._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Silent. The places where you fed your flocks so delightfully, are laid waste._... [ Continue Reading ]
_The dove. This is commonly understood of Nabuchodonosor, whose military standard, they say, was a dove. But the Hebrew word Jonah, which is here rendered a dove, may also signify a waster or oppressor, which name better agrees to that unmerciful prince; or by comparison, as a dove's flight is the s... [ Continue Reading ]