_Burden. That is, a prophecy against Babylon. (Challoner) --- Nimrod began the kingdom, Genesis x. Belus and Ninus brought it to great eminence. But after 1240 years, Babylon was taken by Cyrus. (Worthington) --- Isaias delivered the seven following Chapter s in the first year of Ezechias, chap. xiv... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mountain of Media, whence Darius came. It was usual to erect a signal, (chap. xxx. 17., and Jeremias vi. 1.) to call troops together. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sanctioned. The Medes and Persians were appointed by God to punish Babylon. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Kings. Darius styles himself king of the Medes and Persians, Daniel vi. 12. Many princes and nations composed his army._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heaven. Where it seems to touch the horizon. Thus the countries beyond the Euphrates are often designated._... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XIII. _ Near. Though one hundred and seventy-two years distant._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Burnt. Black with despair, Nahum ii. 10., and Joel ii. 6._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Desolate. This was effected in the course of many centuries. (Calmet) --- The building of Seleucia caused Babylon to be deserted. (Pliny, [Natural History?] vi. 27.) --- Hence we know not at present where it was situated._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stars. This is not to be taken literally, but only implies that the people shall be in as much consternation (Calmet) as if the world were at an end, ver. 13. (Haydock) (Grotius) (Matthew xxiv. 27., Apocalypse vi. 12., and Jeremias iv. 23.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_World. The vices of all nations were concentrated at Babylon. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Precious. Rare, (Worthington) or sought after for destruction, ver. 17._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heaven. With thunders._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Land. Baltassar shall be abandoned by his allies. Cr\'9csus had been already defeated, before Cyrus invested Babylon._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Medes. Who had set themselves at liberty about twenty years before this. They were not solicitous about gold, Ezechiel vii. 19., and Sophonias i. 18._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gomorrha. Towards the end of the Macedonian empire. (Calmet) --- The Persians kept wild beasts in it. (St. Jerome) --- The palace of Nabuchodonosor subsisted in the days of Benjamin, (Calmet) but could not be approached on account of serpents. (Tudel. p. 70.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tents. To dwell, (Calmet) or to traffic. (Theodoret) --- Another city was built, but not so large, nor in the same place. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beasts. Hebrew tsiim, "fishermen." --- Serpents. Hebrew ochim. Septuagint, "echo," (Haydock) or "reeds." Babylon was built on a marshy situation, and Cyrus having let out the waters of the Euphrates, they could never be effectually stopped. --- Ostriches. Or swans. --- Hairy. Goats, chap. xxxiv. 14... [ Continue Reading ]
_Owls. Or jackals, which resemble foxes, and going in packs, will devour the largest creatures. (Bochart) (Parkhurst in aje.) (Haydock) --- But St. Jerome explains it of birds, Job xxviii. 7., and Leviticus xiv. --- Sirens, fabulously supposed to be sweet singing women with wings. --- Thannim denote... [ Continue Reading ]