_Multitude. Hebrew and Septuagint, "army." (Calmet) --- Silly. Literally, "feeble." (Haydock) --- Sacrifice, at the dedication. (Tirinus) --- Day, in so short a time, as their present vigorous proceedings seem to promise, notwithstanding their feeble condition, and the paucity of their numbers. (Hay... [ Continue Reading ]
_Leap over. Hebrew, Septuagint, &c., "break down." (Calmet) --- Bitter sarcasm, which excites the indignation of Nehemias! (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Captivity. Since they have not learnt to commiserate others. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Face. Punish the obstinate. (Tirinus) --- He does not wish that they may continue impenitent. (Calmet) --- But, on that supposition, he approves of the divine justice, and foretells what will happen. (Estius) --- Revenge was equally criminal under the old law, as it is at present. But the servants... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thereof, all round; as masons were stationed in different parts, (ver. 19.) and not barely on one side of the city. (Calmet) --- Tobias alludes to the present lowness of the walls, ver. 3. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Together, to the number of 180,000, according to the Jews; who say that they were terrified, at the excommunication pronounced by 300 priests against them, while 300 young men sounded trumpets; and they fled, leaving Nehemias at liberty to continue the work. It is a pity that we have no foundation... [ Continue Reading ]
_Juda. Some of the Jews, (Menochius) who were dispirited at the greatness of the work and the threats of the enemy. --- Burdens. Septuagint, "of the enemies." Arabic, "the Jews were strengthened, there were many porters, but they could not finish the work." (Calmet) --- Rubbish to be removed. (Tirin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ten times, frequently. (Menochius) --- Places, among the Cuthites. --- Whence they. Protestants, "ye return unto us, they will be upon you. " Hebrew, the second person is put for the third, which occurs in the Septuagint, &c., though they refer it to the enemy. "They come up from all places against... [ Continue Reading ]
_Place. Hebrew adds, "below." --- Round. Hebrew, "on the hills." (Haydock) --- To remove the apparent contradiction, (Calmet) Protestants supply, " and on the higher places." Septuagint, "in lurking holes," Greek: skepeinois._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember. These are the most powerful arguments to encourage an army. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their. Hebrew, "my servants," (Menochius) half of whom only wrought, while the rest stood guard. If we adhere to the Vulgate, we must suppose that Nehemias altered his first plan, and ordered almost all to be ready to fight or to labour, as occasion might require, ver. 17. (Calmet) --- In. "Over, ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sword. Hebrew, "dart." (Calmet) --- The expression seems to be proverbial. So Ovid makes Canacea speak, "My right hand holds the pen, my left the sword;" (Haydock) while I write, I am on the point of killing myself. (Calmet) Dextra tenet calamum, strictum tenet altera ferrum. (Ep. Her.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_By me, when the enemy appeared. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_For us. Yet we must act with prudence and courage. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Midst. Before they had gone home. (Calmet) --- Let us. Protestants, "that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Clothes, even to sleep. --- Only. Septuagint (Complutensian), "man and his arms to the water." (Haydock) --- They went armed to fetch water; (Malvenda) or they had their armour and water always at hand. (Junius, &c.) --- Hebrew, "each kept his dart at the water." It may have various senses. (Calmet... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER IV.... [ Continue Reading ]