At ease — That neither fear nor believe the threatened judgments of God. In Zion — That is put for the kingdom of the two tribes, and principally the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Samaria — Woe to them also who rely upon the strength, wealth, and policy of the kingdom of Samaria or Israel. Which — Which... [ Continue Reading ]
Pass ye — Run over the history of that great and ancient city. Hemath — Head of the Syrian kingdom, lately overthrown by Tiglath — Pilneser, and a fresh instance of God's just indignation against secure sinners. Gath — The chief city of the Philistines, a few years before wasted by the arms of Hazae... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye — That flatter yourselves the day of darkness foretold, is far off. The seat — The judgment seat which should relieve the oppressed, is made a seat of violence.... [ Continue Reading ]
That lie — That out of laziness or luxury, lay themselves to rest. And eat — The very best in all their flock.... [ Continue Reading ]
That chant — That in a time of deep mourning entertain themselves with songs, and musical instruments.... [ Continue Reading ]
In bowls — Not in little vessels, but probably bowls: they drank these filled as full as they could hold too, and in design to drink each other down. And anoint — In those hot countries this anointing was much used. Not grieved — Nothing affected with the calamities of their country.... [ Continue Reading ]
The banquet — The feastings of voluptuous ones shall cease.... [ Continue Reading ]
The excellency — All that the seed of Jacob accounts a glory and excellency to them, all their external privileges and worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
Remain — Escaping the enemies sword. Ten men — Many men, a certain number for an uncertain. They shall die — Tho' they escape a while, they shall not finally escape.... [ Continue Reading ]
Uncle — Or near kinsman, instead of those who were wont to do this, and were paid for it; but now none of these remaining, the next to the dead must, as well as he is able, take him up on his shoulders, and carry him. That burneth — Though the Jews mostly buried, yet in some cases they burned the de... [ Continue Reading ]
For behold — It seems to be the continued speech of him who took care of the dead, Amos 6:10, God hath sent out war, famine, and pestilence. The great house — The palaces of great men shall have great breaches made in them, and the cottages of poor men shall, by lesser strokes, be ruined.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall horses — If prophets exhort or advise, it does no more good than if you would run your horses upon the precipices of rocks.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who rejoice — In your victories, alliances, and idols. Have we not — We have raised ourselves to greatness by our wisdom and courage.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hemath — A city of Syria, bordering on Israel, north — east. The wilderness — Which is the south — west parts of Canaan. So all your country shall be destroyed.... [ Continue Reading ]