Bellows, or crucible. --- Lead, which was intermixed to purify the dross (St. Jerome) of gold and silver. But brass and iron could not be thus purified. All would be lost labour. Afflictions do not correct the obstinate. (Calmet) CHAPTER VI. Gate, before all the people. This discourse ends [in] chap. xiii. (Calmet) Dwell. Hebrew, "make you dwell here." (Haydock) Lord. The triple repetition shews the vain confidence of the people, who blindly imagined that the temple would screen them, (Calmet) and that external sacrifices would suffice. But they were rejected with the temple. (Worthington) Dwell. Hebrew and Septuagint as [in] ver. 3. (Haydock) Not, which have done you no good, and deserve not to be styled gods. (Calmet) Because. Hebrew also, "although," (Sa; Grotius) "to perform," (Chaldean; Montanus) or "by doing." God must surely approve of our conduct, since we are unmolested. (St. Thomas Aquinas; Lyranus) --- But the Vulgate seems preferable, and the people attribute their success to idols, chap. xliv. 17., and 2 Paralipomenon xxviii. 23. Robbers. Our Saviour alludes to this, Matthew xxi. 13. --- Seen. Think not to hide yourselves, as in a den. My temple shall not be an asylum for wretches. (Calmet) Beginning, under Josue. (Haydock) --- The sins of a few priests caused this place to be abandoned, (1 Kings ii. 22., and iii. 4., and Psalm lxxviii. 60.) and shall the crimes of a whole people escape? (Calmet) --- It is true, that place and Jerusalem were once sanctified: but the people being criminal, God retires. (Worthington) Early. Sparing no opportunity of reclaiming you. (Calmet) Ephraim. The ten tribes (Worthington) had been led into captivity in the days of Ezechias, the great-grandfather of Josias. (Calmet) Praise, offered to appease my wrath. (Haydock) --- This admirably shews the force of the saints' intercession, which God does not reject, but rather encourages by such declarations. Abraham and Moses did not leave off praying for the guilty, (Genesis xviii. 23., and Exodus xxxii. 10.) and the Lord complains that there was none to withhold him, Isaias lxiv. 7., and Ezechiel xxii. 30. (Calmet) Heaven. That is, the moon, which they worshipped under that name. (Challoner) --- Some understand the sun also the stars, chap. xliv. 17., and Isaias lxv. 11. All the family contributes to promote this idolatry. Flesh. I reject your holocausts. Keep them for yourselves. (Calmet) I commanded them not: viz., such sacrifices as the Jews at this time offered without obedience; which was the thing principally commanded: so that in comparison with it, the offering of the holocausts and sacrifices was of small account. (Challoner) --- The observance of the decalogue would suffice. Victims were to teach internal piety, Leviticus i. (Worthington) --- God "brought them out of Egypt, not for the sake of their sacrifices, but that they might....hear his word." (St. Iren\'e6us, [Against Heresies] iv. 17.) --- This was the principal design. See Matthew ix. 13., and Osee vi. 6., and 1 Corinthians i. 17. (Maldonat) (Menochius) (Calmet) --- The rules for sacrifices were given after the adoration of the calf, as necessary preservatives against idolatry. (St. Thomas Aquinas, [Summa Theologiae] i. 2. q. 102. a. 3.) --- Yet the paschal lamb, &c., had been already commanded. (Calmet) --- Many such absolute expressions imply a condition or comparison. (Gloss.) (Proverbs viii. 10.) --- I brought. Several manuscripts read thus more accurately than the Hebrew, "He brought," (Kennicott) which Protestants abandon, (Haydock) though the present reading may stand. (Chappel.) (Crat.) --- Every variation should be noticed, as this and the former verse "seem greatly corrupted; perhaps the Syriac version will be the best guide to their true meaning." (Kennicott) --- Yet the passage is sufficiently intelligible in the Vulgate and Septuagint. Thee. Septuagint omit this verse, which Grabe replaces. The people will be more inexcusable. (Haydock) CHAPTER VII. High. People lamented in such places, chap. ix. 13., and Judges xi. 35. (Calmet) --- Wrath, which he treats with the utmost severity. (Haydock) Abominations. Hebrew. We have literally, "stumbling-blocks," offendicula. (Haydock) --- Manasses placed idols in the very temple, as the last kings of Juda did, 4 Kings xxiii. 4., and Ezechiel viii. 3. Valley, to the south of the city. Here Moloc was adored, and Josias therefore contaminated the place, 4 Kings xxiii. 10. (Calmet) --- It was very delightful. (St. Jerome) Place, elsewhere. (Haydock) --- This was verified when Nabuchodonosor and Titus besieged the city. (Calmet) --- The latter was quite shocked. (Josephus, Jewish Wars vi. 14.) See chap. xix., and xxxi. 40. Bride. None shall think of marrying, (chap. xvi. 9., and xxv. 10.; Calmet) all being filled with lamentation. (Menochius) Graves. They might suppose that they would find treasures in them, as the tombs of Semiramis, Cyrus, &c., were thus enriched. This inhumanity seems to have taken place before the last siege, Baruch ii. 24. (Calmet)Qu\'e6que carent ventis et solibus ossa Quirini Nefas videre dissipabit insoleas. ----- (Horace, epod. 16.) --- Cruelty and avarice cause persecutors to act thus. (Worthington) Again. Why then do not the people strive to repent? Stork. These birds retire at the approach of winter to warmer climates. In Poland swallows plunge into marshes, like frogs. If instinct teach them to do so, for their preservation, is it not strange that men should be so inconsiderate? Falsehood. The impostors have deceived you, and they are themselves taken prisoners. (Calmet) Them. Those who understand, and do not observe the law, are not wise. (Worthington) Others. Idumeans, &c. Yet most part of the land remained uncultivated. (Calmet) --- The rest, to ver. 13., "they will collect their fruits, says," &c., is supplied by Grabe. (Haydock) They are. Or, "are they?" &c. (St. Jerome) --- No, they are too hardened, chap. vi. 14. Gather into Jerusalem, to be butchered. (Calmet) --- Away. They are now in the greatest distress. (Haydock) --- This probably happened a little before the last siege, chap. xiv. Silent, in utter destruction, 1 Kings ii. 9. We cannot be in a worse condition. Dan, by which the Chaldeans must pass, chap. iv. 15. Many have hence inferred that antichrist will be the serpent (ver. 17.) of the tribe of Dan, Genesis xlix. 17. (Calmet) Charm. The Chaldeans will not be moved to pity (Menochius) by any words. (Worthington) Me. God, Jeremias, the people, or rather Jerusalem bewails her children. (Calmet) Sion. Thus the people complain, (Menochius) or God answers them that they had no reason to have recourse to idols for protection. (Calmet) Saved. Our hopes of redress are vanished. We must still pine away for want of food. (Haydock) --- The siege continues, though we had been assured it would shortly be terminated. (Calmet) --- It commenced January 30, the year of the world 3414. Soon after Nabuchodonosor went to meet Pharao, and having defeated him, returned about June, the year of the world 3415, and after 390 days took the city, 27th of July, the year of the world 3416. (Usher) (Chap. xxxix. 2.) (Calmet) (Ezechiel iv. 5.) (Haydock) I. Jeremias. (Menochius) --- The prophet continues to speak in the next chapter. Balm, "turpentine," (Calmet) which was much used. (Dioscor. i. 66.) --- Galaad was famous for the best, chap. xlvi. 11., and Genesis xxxvii. 25. --- Closed? Have I not sent prophets? But they will not be healed. (Calmet)