_Now gather thyself_, &c. It seems this verse ought to be joined to the foregoing chapter, as it evidently belongs to it, and not to this, which is upon a quite different subject. Thus considered, after the promises given of a restoration from the captivity into which they should be carried, and of... [ Continue Reading ]
_But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah_ Here we have evidently the beginning of another subject, quite different from any thing that the first verse can relate to, and with which it seems to have no connection. The word _Ephrah_, or _Ephratah_, is here added, to distinguish Beth-lehem in the tribe of Judah,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore will he give them up_ The particle לכן rendered _therefore_, should rather be here rendered, _nevertheless._ The meaning is, Notwithstanding the promise of so great a blessing, God would give up his people into the hands of their enemies, or leave them to be exercised with troubles and af... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he shall stand and feed_ Or _rule_ as the word רעה, here rendered _feed_, often signifies: that is, he shall go on, he shall continue to rule, or feed, his people. Christ shall diligently perform the office of a shepherd, or governor, over his church. _In the strength of the Lord, in the majest... [ Continue Reading ]
_This man shall be the peace_ Christ is our peace as a priest, making atonement for sin, and reconciling us to God: he is our peace as a king, conquering our enemies, protecting us against their attacks, and preserving our minds in peace and tranquillity. In this latter sense the expression seems to... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they_ The seven shepherds and eight principal men; or, _the rulers_ and _princes of men_, mentioned in the preceding clause; those great and successful instruments of God's revenge, and his church's deliverance, _shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword_ Which the Medes and Babylonians di... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the remnant of Jacob_ Those who remained after the Assyrian invasion in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah, in whose reigns a considerable reformation was effected; and the remnant that should be carried captive into Babylon, who during their captivity should contribute to spread the knowledge of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles as a lion _ For strength and courage, which the beasts of the forest dare not oppose, and cannot resist. This seems to be a prediction of what was to be effected in the times of the Maccabees, and those following them, when the Jewish people gain... [ Continue Reading ]
_And in that day_ Namely, in that time when the threatenings against the enemies, and the promises to the people of God shall be made good; _I will cut off thy horses_, &c. Not in judgment, but in mercy, for there shall be no need of them, nor shall the church of God any more rely on them. _And will... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I will cut off witchcrafts_, &c. Here is foretold the downfall of all unlawful arts and devices, which had been used by the Jews in former ages, to obtain the knowledge of future events: that God would, in mercy to his people, take away these occasions of sinning. _Thy graven images also will I... [ Continue Reading ]