_Branches. Septuagint, "Wood." Symmachus, This is all: it yields no fruit. Protestants, "empty." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "plucked." The grapes are taken away, as the Israelites were; though they boasted of their numbers, chap. ix. 16. They are often compared to a vine, the symbol of fecundity, Isaias... [ Continue Reading ]
_Divided between the Lord and idols, 3 Kings xviii. 21. (Calmet) --- The Jews relate that Osee, the last king of Israel, gave the people leave to go to Jerusalem; (4 Kings xvii. 2.) and as they would not take advantage of it, their ruin was decreed. (St. Jerome)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_No king, in captivity; or they give this title to the golden calf. Manahem had destroyed one, so that they could not but see its vanity. The neighbouring nations looked upon their idols as their kings._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Covenant with Phul, who seeks only your destruction, 4 Kings xv. 19. (Calmet) --- Bitterness. Hebrew, "poison," (Haydock) or a bitter herb. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The kine of Bethaven. The golden calves of Jeroboam, (Challoner) one of which (Haydock) was set up at Bethel. (Worthington) --- The feminine cows, is spoken in ridicule; as (Calmet) O vere Phrygiæ, (Virgil) \'c6neid ix. Isis was represented with a cow's head. (Herodotus ii. 41.) --- Rejoiced. To av... [ Continue Reading ]
_Itself also is carried, &c. One of the golden calves was given by king Manahem to Phul, king of the Assyrians, to engage him to stand by him. (Challoner) --- Avenging. Chap. v. 13. --- Will, or expectation of aid. (Calmet) --- He had recourse to this nation, without consulting God. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pass. Hebrew, "As for Samaria, it is undone. Its king is like froth, or a bubble," &c., chap. xi. 1. The calf; (ver. 3.) Zacharias or Osee may be meant._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Us, as the Jews would do at the last siege, and sinners before the day of judgment, Luke xxiii. 30., and Apocalypse vi. 14. Too happy, if they could by a speedy death escape eternal torments! (Calmet) --- People shall be in the utmost consternation at the approach of the Assyrians. (Haydock) --- Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gabaa. Septuagint, "high places;" or he alludes to the brutality of the citizens, Judges xx. 13. --- Stood. Those of Gabaa were speedily punished by the other tribes. Now, all are perverse. At that time one tribe was guilty, and yet some were spared; but all Israel shall be now led into captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their two iniquities. Their two calves; (Challoner) or because they have abandoned God, and followed idols, Jeremias ii. 13. Many render, "when I shall have tied them, like oxen, in their two furrows." But the Vulgate is plainer, and adopted by most._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neck. I will confine her to harder labour. While the oxen tred out corn, they may eat, Deuteronomy xxv. 4. --- Himself. Juda shall be chastised after the ten tribes; so that none of my people shall escape._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mouth. Hebrew, "in proportion to (Calmet) your piety." Septuagint, "gather a vintage of the fruit of life." (Haydock) --- Ground. Reform you conduct. (Calmet) --- Justice, when Christ shall appear, the source of all our grace and justice. (St. Jerome, &c.) (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "Light up for you... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ploughed. Septuagint, "Why have you concealed impiety," refusing to confess? (Haydock) --- Iniquity, or punishment. --- Lying. Your hopes are frustrated, and no fruit is seen. (Calmet) --- Ways: idols. (St. Jerome)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tumult. Hebrew shaon; the din of war, (Haydock) or cry of soldiers. (Calmet) --- Salmana, king of the Madianites, was destroyed by the house; that is, by the followers of him that judgeth Baal; that is, of Gedeon, who threw down the altar of Baal, and was therefore called Jerobaal. See Judges vi. a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bethel. This place, defiled by an idol, shall be the scene of your misery. Septuagint, "So I will treat you, O house of Israel," &c., (Haydock) which is not in Hebrew (St. Jerome) but seems as good. (Haydock) --- Hebrew adds here properly, (Calmet) "Presently, or in the morning, shall the king of I... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER X.... [ Continue Reading ]