_Robber. Some understand this of Babylon, which robbed and pillaged the temple of God; others understand it of Jerusalem, by reason of the many rapines and oppressions committed there. (Challoner) --- Hebrew, "now assemble, O daughter of troops;" Babylon, famous (Haydock) for soldiers, who will seiz... [ Continue Reading ]
Ephrata. This was the ancient name (Haydock) of Bethlehem, (Genesis xxxv. 16.) though some think that it was so called after Caleb's wife, 1 Paralipomenon ii. 19. --- Art, or "art thou?" &c., which makes it agree with Matthew ii. 4. --- Little. Hebrew tsahir, (Haydock) is often rendered "considerabl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Forth, till Babylon let them go; (Sanct.) or the Jews shall enjoy the land till Christ come; (St. Jerome, exp. ii.) or he will leave them in their blindness till the nations shall have received the gospel, when there shall be one fold, John x. 16., and Romans ix. 25._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Earth, Christ shall be glorified, governing his Church. The Jews shall be respected as a people singularly favoured._... [ Continue Reading ]
Peace. This regards Christ and not Zorobabel. (Calmet) --- Assyrian. That is, the persecutors of the Church; who are here called Assyrians by the prophet, because the Assyrians were at that time the chief enemies and persecutors of the people of God. (Challoner) --- The Persians held the empire whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_They. Hystaspes first laid a tax of money on the Persians, who hence styled him a merchant. (Herodotus iii. 89.) --- He was severe, and often at war. (Calmet) --- Feed. They shall make spiritual conquests in the lands of their persecutors, with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, Ephe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jacob; viz., the apostles, and the first preachers of the Jewish nation, whose doctrine, like dew, shall make the plants of the converted Gentiles grow up, without waiting for any man to cultivate them by human learning. (Challoner) --- Under Hystaspes, the husband of Esther, the Jews enjoyed rest,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lion. This denotes the fortitude of these first preachers, and their success in their spiritual enterprises. (Challoner) --- The Jews, by leave of Assuerus, defended themselves; and the Machabees became terrible, Esther ix., and 1 Machabees iii. 4. The power of the latter was established, while the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Horses. Some understand this, and all that follows to the end of the chapter, as addressed to the enemies of the Church. But it may as well be understood of the converts to the Church, who should no longer put their trust in any of these things. (Challoner) --- God will protect his people, so that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sorceries. The Jews after their return abstained more from such things; but not like the Church of Christ, in which idols and dealings with the devil have never been tolerated._... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER V.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ear, to the admonitions of the prophets. Hence Egypt, &c., were justly punished._... [ Continue Reading ]