_Majesty. The world is enlightened by the preaching of the gospel; and the Church triumphant [in heaven] shall shine in perfection, when that which is sown in corruption shall put on incorruption, 1 Corinthians xv. (St. Jerome) --- The blessed Virgin Mary conceiving Jesus Christ may be insinuated. ... [ Continue Reading ]
_He came. Hebrew, "I came to destroy (Septuagint, to anoint) the city," marking such as should be spared, chap. ix. The glorious chariot entered by the eastern gate, and the prophet followed to the court of the priests, ver. 5, 13. (Calmet) --- The Jews says the second temple was deprived of the She... [ Continue Reading ]
Said. The Lord spoke, (Chaldean; Theodoret) or the angel, (St. Jerome) in human shape. (Haydock) --- He addresses the prophet, ver. 12 to chap. xliv. 5., though what follows immediately seems to belong to the Lord, (Calmet) in whose name he speaks. --- Name. God hath abandoned the synagogue, but wil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wall. The kings of Juda had a door communicating with the temple, by which they entered on the west. It was guarded by Levites, 1 Paralipomenon xxvi. 16. Ezechiel places no door on that side. Yet in Herod's temple we find one leading to the adjacent palace, and three others into the town. (Josephus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Carcasses. Literally, "ruins." (Haydock) --- The remains of the dead were probably not disturbed; but no more, that we know of, were placed on Sion. (Calmet) --- Kings may signify idols, Moloc, &c., which they had worshipped, and which some had even placed in the holy place, to the nation's ruin. ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Measure, that they may be convinced of their ingratitude, (Menochius) which has deprived them of so noble a structure, and put them under the necessity of beginning so great a work again. It required all the exertions of the prophets to make them go forward with it, Aggeus i. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the whole fabric, (Menochius) as thou hast described it, (Haydock) or received from the angel, with all the ceremonies to be observed._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Border. Nothing but the temple shall be on his mountain. It shall be wholly consecrated to the Lord. This was ill observed. The Asmonean princes erected the famous tower Antonia, at the north side. (Josephus) See ver. 8. The Jews assert that it was unlawful to spit on this ground, &c., but no such... [ Continue Reading ]
_By. Hebrew, "by cubits." This cubit is a common cubit, &c. The Babylonian, (Haydock) or sacred one, was a palm longer. (Worthington) (Chap. xl. 5.) --- Breadth. It was the same as the depth, being designed to convey the blood by a conduit to the torrent Cedron. --- Trench, or bottom aforesaid. Sept... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cubit. they were each a cubit broad, but this greater means higher up. Some assert that the priests stood on this base to avoid treading on the altar, when they place the wood or victims. But it would be too low; and steps were made for that purpose. The altar was ten, or rather twelve cubits high,... [ Continue Reading ]
The ariel. That is, the altar itself, or rather the highest part of it, upon which the burnt-offerings were laid. In the Hebrew it is harel, that is, the mountain of God; but in the following verse haariel, that is, the lion of God; a figure, from its consuming, and as it were devouring the sacrific... [ Continue Reading ]
_Crown, which was usually placed round altars and tables, that nothing might fall down. --- Bottom of the altar, or base, mentioned [in] ver. 13. --- Steps, boarded one each side, Exodus xx. 26._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Levites. Hebrew, "of the race of Levi, of the family of Sadoc." He had obtained the dignity under Saul, (Calmet) and after the deposition of Abiathar, under Solomon, (3 Kings ii. 26.; Haydock) his posterity always preserved it. (Calmet, Diss.) --- Calf. Thou shalt give it, or make known these rites... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XLIII.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sanctuary, out of the precincts of the temple, but on the mountain, Leviticus iv. 3., and vi. 11._... [ Continue Reading ]
_He-goat. Septuagint add, "of the goats," ( hircum caprarum. Haydock) denoting a young kid, (Menochius) or one selected (Haydock) rather from the flock. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consecrate it. Literally, "fill his hand;" that is, dedicate and apply it to holy service, (Challoner) as the Hebrew, &c., speak of the altar. Septuagint, "they shall fill their hands," seems more natural, (Exodus xxviii. 41.) and is adopted by Pagnin, Vatable, &c. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]