_Strengthen. Hebrew also, "Flee, Benjamites, from the midst," &c. Jerusalem belonged partly to this tribe, which prided itself on its valour. --- Thecua was in the lot of Juda, 15 miles south of Jerusalem. --- North. The Chaldeans approach, chap. i. 13. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shepherds. So captains are styled, because they feed and govern soldiers. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prepare. Literally, "sanctify." Observe the usual formalities of demanding reparation, offering victims, &c. The Chaldeans thus encourage one another, and will allow themselves no rest day or night, ver. 5._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cold. Hebrew, "come forth." All the citizens imitate her vices._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Instructed, by afflictions and prosperity, by public and internal admonitions. Willful ignorance is criminal, and drives God away, chap. li. 9., and Psalm lxxx. 12._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Basket. Chaldeans, destroy all. Nabuchodonosor took Joakim twice, and afterwards Jechonias and Sedecias, chap. xxix. 2._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Uncircumcised. Impure and deaf. (Calmet) --- Non vocat impossibilitas supplicio quæ de contemptu et infidelitate descendit. (St. Jerome)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_In. Jeremias is indignant. The Lord then orders him to pour, or declare what will ensue. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Prophet. Septuagint, "false prophet," chap. iv. 31. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Disgracefully. They shall be ashamed, when the contrary to what they declared shall come to pass, chap. viii. 11._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Paths, of patriarchs, and of Moses. Avoid novelty in religion. (Calmet) --- This advice is very applicable to the present generation. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Watchmen. Prophets, Ezechiel iii. 17., and xxxiii. 2._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Congregation. Septuagint, "shepherds feeding their flocks have heard." The Chaldeans are apprised of my resolution against Juda. (Calmet) --- After the Jews had been called repeatedly in vain, the Gentiles obey, Matthew x. 5. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_To me. For want of proper dispositions; otherwise the offerings of the best things were enjoined, and commendable. The Jews are taught not to depend on external observances, while they neglect the heart. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_North. As Babylon lay with respect to Jerusalem, (Worthington) or rather to the east. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Only son. Let thy grief be extraordinary, Amos viii. 10., and Zacharias xii. 10._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Trier of my people, as of gold in the furnace, Job xxii. 25._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bellows, or crucible. --- Lead, which was intermixed to purify the dross (St. Jerome) of gold and silver. But brass and iron could not be thus purified. All would be lost labour. Afflictions do not correct the obstinate. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VI.... [ Continue Reading ]