_Ask ye of the Lord rain_, &c. Make supplication to Jehovah, and not to idols. The promise of future plenty made in the preceding verse, with which this appears to be closely connected, suggested the mentioning the means by which it might be procured. As if he had said, The fulfilling of the promise... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the idols have spoken vanity_ What I have said will certainly be verified when, with sincere and pious minds, you apply to God in prayer for his blessing on you and your land; but the case was quite otherwise when your fathers asked for any thing of idols; the priests, who answered in the names... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds_ Against the kings, princes, and priests. These were the leaders of the Jewish people into idolatry and vice. The word _shepherds_ is beautifully taken up from the preceding verse. _And I punished the goats The chief ones_, as Newcome renders it. The pri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Out of him_ From God, _came forth_ Or rather, _shall come forth the corner_ The prince or ruler, who is in a body politic, as a corner stone in a building; _the nail_ Which fastens the tents of war, or the timber together in a house; _the battle-bow_ All warlike provision both of men and arms. _Out... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they_ The Jews, under the conduct of their captains; _shall be as mighty men which tread down their enemies_ God shall inspire them with courage to subdue their enemies, and trample upon their carcasses. This it seems must be understood of the victories obtained by the Jews under the Maccabees,... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will hiss for them_ Rather, _whistle_, as the word שׁרק should be here translated. I will call them from distant countries, as a shepherd calls his flock together with his whistle. _For I have redeemed them_ For I have, and will, by the workings of my divine providence, deliver and redeem them ou... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he shall pass through the sea with affliction_ The sense might be more properly expressed, _And he_ [Israel] _shall pass through the straits of the sea:_ so the LXX. and the Vulgate understand the word. _And_ [God] _shall smite the waves of the sea_, &c. The expressions allude to the miraculous... [ Continue Reading ]