_Hear this word against the whole family_, &c. All that family of which Jacob, or Israel, was the head. The word _family_ is equivalent to _people_ here and in the following verse. _You only have I known_ Acknowledged, by revealing myself to you, protecting you, and conferring on you peculiar privil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Can two walk together_ Comfortably as friends; _except they be agreed_ Except they be in peace with each other? So neither can I conduct myself toward you as a friend or benefactor, nor can you have my presence with you, while you walk so contrary to me, and act in such perfect opposition to my nat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Will a lion roar, &c., when he hath no prey?_ “Naturalists assert that when the lion sees his prey, he roars before he rushes on it; and that at this roaring many animals show great fear. He likewise roars over his prey. The sense seems to be, As the lion roareth on account of his prey, so by my pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord will do nothing, but he revealeth_, &c. As if he had said, You cannot complain of your not being forewarned of these calamities coming upon you, for God hath not done, nor will do any thing, without revealing it to his prophets, and by them to you; so that you have now warning of all that... [ Continue Reading ]
_Publish in the palaces at Ashdod_, &c. God here orders the prophet to invite the Philistines and Egyptians, the inveterate enemies of God's Israel, to come and behold what great wickedness was among them, and what cause he had to execute what he had threatened, and to mark the calamities coming upo... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs,_ &c. When a lion hath for some time ravaged the flock, but is at last frighted away by the noise of the shepherds and their dogs, or by darts and other offensive weapons thrown at him, then all that, in such a case, the shepherd can hope... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear ye, and testify_, &c. These words are directed to the prophets whom God sends to declare his will. _In the day that I shall visit,_ &c. In the general destruction of the ten tribes, my judgments will be particularly visible upon the places dedicated to idolatrous worship, especially Beth-el, t... [ Continue Reading ]