An angel. Taking the shape of a man, (Challoner) such as had appeared to Josue, (chap. v. 13.; Menochius) the guardian angel of Israel. (Haydock) --- The Jews commonly suppose that it was Phinees, the high priest, Malachias ii. 8. (Drusius) But he might be dead with the rest of the ancients when thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_League. None of a public nature had been perhaps made by the whole nation, to sanction the idolatry of the Chanaanites. But so many individuals had entered into marriages with them and imitated their perverse manners, so many tribes had spared the cities, &c., that the Israelites in general merited... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ruin. Septuagint, "stumbling block," the occasion of ruin. (Menochius) --- Thus by a false compassion (Calmet) and negligence, the Israelites brought upon themselves the most serious difficulties, while those whom they had spared, turned against them by a just judgment of God, and proved the ruin b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord: holocausts to acknowledge his dominion, and sacrifices of expiation for the transgressions of the people. Only the tabernacle and temple were appointed for such sacrifices, though they might be offered elsewhere by dispensation. (St. Augustine, q. 36.) (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
And Josue, &c. This is here inserted out of Josue, (xxiv.) by way of recapitulation of what had happened before, and by way of an introduction to that which follows. (Challoner) --- The sacred penman gives a short description of the general conduct of the Israelites, shewing how they abandoned their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fathers. These expressions prove the immortality of the soul, Job xxxiv. 4., &c. Knew not, or did not approve or cordially serve the Lord. His tabernacle was still at Silo. But many joined the worship of idols with that of the true God, (Calmet) and light and darkness can never agree. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_They followed strange gods. What is here said of the children of Israel, as to their falling so often into idolatry, is to be understood of a great part of them; but not so universally, as if the true worship of God was ever quite abolished among them: for the succession of the true church and reli... [ Continue Reading ]
_Baal, "Lord," a title given to many of the idols, (Haydock) both male and female. (Menochius) --- They are often distinguished by some additional name, as Beelzebub, "fly," and berith, "covenant," gods adored at Accaron and Sichem. Under this name the pagans adored heaven or the sun, (Calmet) as As... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who took. Hebrew, "that spoiled them, and he sold" or abandoned them, &c. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Them, for any long time. Their inconstancy was astonishing. (Haydock) --- These judges raised up by God, or chose by the people under his direction, often rescued Israel from servitude; and during the remainder of their lives, watched to see the laws put in execution, being assisted by the counsels... [ Continue Reading ]
_Quickly. They had persevered in virtue under the government of Josue and of the elders, for the space of forty years, according to Marsham and Houbigant. The former places the first state of anarchy and of idolatry 34 years after Josue, allowing 15 years for the administration of the surviving anci... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moved, &c. Hebrew and Septuagint, "and the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge, (for it repented the Lord (Septuagint, he was moved to compassion) on account of their groans, &c.) (Haydock) --- The repentance of God denotes a change... [ Continue Reading ]
_And did. Hebrew, "and corrupted themselves. " Septuagint, "were more depraved than," &c. --- By which, &c., is put instead of the Hebrew, "their stubborn (or hard) (Haydock) Chaldean, 'corrupt' way." This hard and rough path denotes the labours which the wicked have to encounter, in the pursuit of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nations. Hebrew, "any." Septuagint, "a man of those nations," which must be understood, unless the Israelites return to a proper sense of their duty. For then he destroyed not only individuals, but whole armies, by the hand of the judges. Yet we do not find that such havoc was made among the infide... [ Continue Reading ]
_Or not. The secrets of hearts cannot be hidden from the omniscience of God. (Calmet) --- But he would have an experimental knowledge of the fidelity of his people, by leaving these nations in the midst of them. It was partly on this account that he withdrew the sword of Josue, who would otherwise h... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER II.... [ Continue Reading ]