_Ephraim. Some think at Silo, to which place, he says, he was going, (ver. 18,) though it might be only out of devotion. (Calmet) --- A wife. Hebrew, "a concubine." Septuagint joins both together, "he took a harlot to wife." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Left him. Hebrew Thozne. Now tizne, (Du Hamel) "his concubine, fell into fornication against (Junius improperly translates with) him." Chaldean, "She despised went from him." Septuagint, "She was vexed at or she left him." (Calmet) --- Josephus, "as he was deeply in love with her on account of her b... [ Continue Reading ]
_With him. Hebrew, "her husband arose and followed her to speak to her heart, to bring her back," Genesis xxxiv. 3. He shewed great condescension and love, (Haydock) and she received him with suitable sentiments of regard, and did not become more haughty, as women, who perceive themselves to be cour... [ Continue Reading ]
_With him. A beautiful instance of hospitality, like that of the disciples at Emaus, Luke xxiv. 29. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Advanced. Hebrew, "and they tarried until the evening." Septuagint, "rest till the day decline." (Haydock) --- He wishes them to wait till the hear of the day be over. (Calmet) --- When he had obtained this request, he made the late hour an excuse for detaining them longer. But unhappily, the Levit... [ Continue Reading ]
_Depart. Hebrew and Septuagint add, "early," before the sun was up to render travelling incommodious. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jebus was about six short miles from Bethlehem, and as many from Gabaa. It had not yet fallen into the hands of Juda (Calmet) and Benjamin, (Haydock) or they had been expelled again, so that the old inhabitants held possession of it at this time, (Calmet) as they did of the citadel till the reign o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rama was not so far as Gabaa; so that, if they could not travel to the latter place, they might turn to the former, and lodge all night. They held on their journey, however, till they came not very late, to Gabaa._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lodge. No one invited them in. How much had these people degenerated from the manners of Abraham and of Lot, to imitate those of the men of Sodom! (Haydock) --- There was no inn it seems at Gabaa, though we read of some at Jericho, Gaza, &c., chap. xvi. 1., Josue ii. 1., and Genesis xlii. 27. (Calm... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jemini. That is, Benjamin. (Challoner) --- Chap. iii. 15._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bundles. Hebrew, "saw a traveller in," &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of God. Septuagint, "to my house I return in haste; and no one brings me into his house." The tabernacle was fixed at Silo in Ephraim. (Haydock) --- Chaldean, "the house of the sanctuary of God." (Menochius) (Ver. 1.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Straw. It used to be cut small, as hay was very scarce. (St. Jerome in Isaias xxv.) Hebrew, "straw and provender.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will. Hebrew, "all thy wants be upon me." I will furnish all that may be requisite. In this wicked city, there was at least, one generous soul, like Lot in Sodom, Genesis xviii., and xix._... [ Continue Reading ]
_That is, &c. An interpretation of the Vulgate. Belial is sometimes rendered "devilish, apostate," &c. Septuagint, "lawless, or transgressors." (Menochius) --- Aquila, "rebels." Symmachus, "libertines," without education or restraint. (Calmet) --- Josephus lays the blame on some young men, who had b... [ Continue Reading ]
I have, &c. A similar proposal was made by Lot; (Genesis xix. 8,) and hence the old man, who was brought up to hard labour, and the young Levite might, through ignorance, suppose it lawful for them to do the like. (Menochius) --- IT is lawful to advise a man, who is about to commit two crimes, to be... [ Continue Reading ]
_And abandoned. Hebrew, "and they knew her and abused her." (Haydock) --- Interpreters say in the most unnatural manner. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord. So wives styled their husbands, 1 Peter iii. 5. --- Down dead through fatigue, (Menochius) shame, and grief. (Josephus) --- She had not power to knock. (Calmet) --- Though the former misconduct of this unhappy woman might call for punishment, yet, after she was reconciled to her husband, we c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Israel. One part, like an epistle, written with blood, to every tribe. (Salien) --- Some, without reason, think that Benjamin was neglected: but they were to be summoned, to bring their guilty brethren (Calmet) to condign punishment, or to share in their fate, as accomplices of the crime. (Haydock)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Egypt, that is for the space of eighty years. (Salien) --- Indeed the annals of all past ages could hardly furnish an instance of such barbarous lust. --- Done. In every city, people gathered together to consult how the crime was to be expiated; (Haydock) and all agreed to assemble before the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XIX.... [ Continue Reading ]