_A lintel of surfeiting. That is, a door into which they shall seek to enter, to glut themselves with blood: but they shall stumble, and fall like men stupified with wine. It seems to allude to the times of Antiochus, and to the victories of the Machabees. (Challoner) --- Yet it indirectly relates t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stone. It was customary to have such huge stones for people to try their strength. (St. Jerome) --- Ruptures and wounds were frequently the consequence, Ecclesiasticus vi. 22. The nations which attacked God's people, paid dear for their victory. (Calmet) --- All fight against the Church; (Menochius... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blindness. The cavalry of the Syrians proved useless against a few (Calmet) champions under God's protection. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let. Septuagint, "We shall find for us the inhabitants of Jerusalem, in the Lord Almighty, their God." (Haydock) --- Judas always exhorted his men to trust in the Lord, 1 Machabees iii. 18. (Calmet) --- Mocbai, the initials of "who is like thee among the strong, ( Alim) O Lord," (Exodus xv. 11.; Ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Furnace. Septuagint, "firebrand among wood, and as a burning lamp amid straw." (Haydock) --- Left. The Samaritans shall fall as well as the Idumeans. --- Place. The temple and city had been deserted, while the troops of Epiphanes occupied the citadel, 1 Machabees iii. 45., and iv. 38._... [ Continue Reading ]
_David. The Machabees were not of this family, but Levites, born at Modin, in Ephraim. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hath. Septuagint, "is weak." --- Offended. Such shall repent and be pardoned, like David. (Haydock) --- They shall imitate his valour. The posterity of David shall no more cause the people to go stray. --- Of God. He seems to allude to Christ's birth. David's offspring shall not ascend the throne;... [ Continue Reading ]
Prayers. Septuagint and Chaldean, "pity." (Haydock) --- After the Machabees more synagogues were erected, and the people were more faithful; yet this chiefly regards the new law, in which the spirit prays with us ineffably, Romans viii. 26. (Calmet) --- Me. So far the prophet speaks in Christ's name... [ Continue Reading ]
_Adadremmon. A place near Mageddon, where the good king Josias was slain, and much lamented by his people. (Challoner) --- It was not far from Jezrahel, 2 Paralipomenon xxxv. The lamentation for Josias represents that of impenitent sinners at the day of judgment. (St. Jerome) (Worthington) --- Septu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Apart. Bands of men and of women mourning, went with musical instruments separately through the streets, and into the country; as they still do in the East. (Calmet) --- On such occasions, as well as in times of prayer, continence is observed. (St. Jerome)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nathan. Zorobabel was his descendant. --- Semei, the son of Gershom, 1 Paralipomenon vi. 16. (Calmet) --- "From this tribe the doctors are chosen." (St. Jerome) --- The pious of all ranks bewail the death of Christ, and the share which they had in it. (Haydock) --- He had done good to many; and the... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XII.... [ Continue Reading ]