This verse contains the application to the present case of the Jews of the principles brought out by the foregoing questions. The second principle, as to the transmission of uncleanness, is first applied in the former clauses of the verse, while the first principle, as to the non-transmission of holiness, is referred to in the last clause. "So," resembling the case just described, "is this people and this nation, before Me, saith the Lord." It is polluted in itself, like the man who is "unclean by a dead body," through its disobedience, and neglect of my Temple. "And so," defiled through this act of disobedience, just as whatever he touches is defiled by the touch of him who has had contact with the dead, "is every work of their hands." The blight that rests on all their industry and labour, that mars and withers every work in which their hands are engaged, is the punishment and the proof of the moral uncleanness, which residing in themselves extends to all that they put their hand to. "And that which they offer there," (on the altar which they have built to My Name in Jerusalem,) so far from sanctifying their works, as they vainly think, is itself through the pervading influence of their sin "unclean." The sanctifying influence of the altar on which they pride themselves would at best but have reached a little way. The prevailing power of their disobedience vitiates all such sanctifying influence, and renders the very offerings on the altar itself unclean.

this people and so is this nation See ch. Haggai 1:2. The addition of the word "nation," the word commonly used for the heathen nations of the world, as distinguished from the Jews who were the "people" of God, has been thought to be a further sign of contempt and rejection. But the two words are used together of Israel in Zephaniah 2:9, where no such meaning can be intended.

there On the altar built on their return from Babylon. Ezra 3:3.

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