Sword. He is moved with pity to see so much carnage, but reflects that such is the will of God. Nabuchodonosor was his sword or scourge. (Calmet) CHAPTER XLVII. Moab. This people broke their covenant with Sedecias, yet were punished for having entered into it, five years after the taking of Jerusalem. (Josephus) (St. Jerome, in chap. xxv. 32.) --- The same war is described by Ezechiel (xxv. 8.) and Sophonias, ii. 8. Many words of Isaias (xv., and xvi., and xxiv.) are adopted, though he speaks of what happened under Ezechias. --- Nabo, a town at the foot of that mountain, where Moses died, Deuteronomy xxxiv. It might have been famous for some pretended "oracle," Isaias xv. 2., and xlvi. 1. This chief city, with the rest, shall be destroyed. (Worthington) --- Cariathaim. This city, and most of the others, were repossessed by Moab after the Israelites were led into captivity. (Calmet) --- City. Hebrew Hammisgab, a fortress. (Vatable) Hesebon, at the foot of Phasga, and one of the strongest cities. --- Shalt. Hebrew, "shall Medemena hold her peace." (Calmet) --- "Thou shalt be cut down, O madmen." (Haydock) --- It signifies "silence." Thou silent city, thou shalt be reduced to a mournful silence or destruction. Little ones. Hebrew, "to Segor," ver. 34., and Isaias xv. 5. (Calmet) --- Chaldean, "princes" of the second rank. (Vatable) CHAPTER XLVIII. Heath, or tamarick, chap. xvii. 6. Hebrew Haroher. Bulwarks. Hebrew, "works," or possessions of corn, cattle, &c. (Calmet) --- Chamos, the idol of the Moabites. (Challoner) --- He was esteemed the king of the country, as the devil is the ape of God. The prophets often deride the imbecility of these idols, chap. xliii., and xi. The chief idol of Moab shall fall, to shew the vanity of trusting in idols. (Worthington) Spoiler, or "thief," a title which Nabuchodonosor deserved, on account of his unjust conquests. (Calmet) Flower: an usual ceremony at funerals. (Cornelius a Lapide) (Menochius) --- Manibus date lilia plenis. (Virgil, \'c6neid vi.) --- Hebrew, "wings." Protestants, "signs." Septuagint, (Haydock) "that they may know how to return." Let Moab flee. (Calmet) Deceitfully. In the Greek, negligently. The work of God here spoken of, is the punishment of the Moabites. (Challoner) --- Woe to those who spare those whom God orders to be destroyed, as Saul and Achab did, 1 Kings xv. 8, 23., and 3 Kings xx. 32, 42. The zeal of the Levites, Phinees, &c., is rewarded, Exodus xxxii. 27., and Numbers xx. 8. Fruitful as a vine. --- Lees. The wine has not been disturbed. It was customary to keep it first in pits, (Mark xii. 1., and Isaias v. 1.) and afterwards in large earthen vessels. Vina bibes Tauro diffusa: "Thou shalt drink wine bottled off in the consulship of Taurus." (Horace i. ep. 5.) --- If the wine was weak, the vessels were put under ground. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xiv. 21.) --- The better sort was arranged in order, (ver. 12.) in some clean apartment, Canticle of Canticles ii. 4. (Homer, Odyssey B. 237.) --- Changed. He alludes to the wine. (Haydock) --- Moab has enjoyed a long peace and prosperity. (Calmet) Of Bethel. That is, of their golden calves, which they worshipped in Bethel. (Challoner) --- Chamos and the golden calves were both taken away, Osee viii. 5. (Calmet) --- The ten tribes had foolishly trusted in the latter, 3 Kings xii. (Worthington) Swiftly; about twenty-three years from the fourth of Joakim. His name, as particular friends, Exodus xxxiii. 12, 17. People in the East had a secret name, which they disclosed to very few, to prevent incantations. --- Rod. This nation was exceedingly vain, ver. 29. Thirst. Dibon was well supplied with water, Isaias xv. 9. Arnon, on which river Aroer stood. Drunk with the wine of God's wrath. --- Dash. Hebrew, "roll in," or "they shall clap hands over Moab, in," &c. Thieves. Chap. ii. 26. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "was he found among thieves? for since thou speakest of him, thou skippest for joy." (Haydock) --- Chaldean agrees with the Vulgate, which is clearer. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "hath he been found stealing from thee, since thou hast fought against him?" Grabe subjoins, "Thou shalt go into banishment.["] (Haydock) --- As Moab was related to Israel, his derision was the more criminal, and more grievously punished. (Worthington) Place. Seek for shelter in the caverns and highest mountains. (Haydock) Able. He hath attempted too much. Brick wall. Hebrew Kir-cheres, (Isaias xvi. 7.; Calmet) "the city of the sun;" (Grotius) Ar, the capital. The prophet joins in the mournful canticle, as was usual, Luke vii. 32. (Calmet) --- Those who boast of more than they have, are compared to an earthen wall. (Worthington) Jazer, or "more than for Jazer;" about six leagues to the north of Sebama, which had a rivulet communicating with the sea of Jazer. Carmel, which here denotes any fruitful vineyard or place. --- The, &c. Protestants, "none shall tread with shouting, their shouting shall be no shouting." Hebrew hedad, "the cry" of the people in the vintage. (Calmet) As a. Literally, "the heifer;" a title of Oronaim, which was proud and ungovernable. (Haydock) --- Hebrew also, "from Agelah to Salisa; the," &c. --- Bad; abandoned, Isaias xv. 6. (Calmet) Pipes. Hebrew chalilim, (Haydock) lyre or flutes. Such were used at funerals of children; (Matthew ix. 23.) trumpets sounded for men. (Servius) --- Could; opposing the conqueror of Asia, ver. 30, 31. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "the riches that he hat gotten is perished." Shaven, or "clipt," (Protestants; Haydock) as in mourning. --- Tied. Hebrew, "cut," chap. xvi. 6. (Calmet) --- Such signs of mourning were usual in those countries. The Romans let their hair grow. (Cicero, pro Sestio.) (Worthington) Bowed. Septuagint and Chaldean, "turned his back." Carioth, probably Kir Hares, which the eagle of Babylon seized. Roman Septuagint omits verse 40. (Calmet) --- Grabe supplies, Behold, &c., and here, the heart, &c. (Haydock) Cease for a time, till he regain his liberty under Cyrus, ver. 47. Fear. It was customary to hand feathers near a wood, to frighten the prey into pits or nets, Isaias xxiv. 17. (Sanctius) There....saith, &c., to the end of the chapter is supplied by Grabe. His copy subjoins, "What Jeremias prophesied against all nations. Thus," &c., chap. xxv. 15. (Haydock) Hesebon, expecting shelter. But internal broils ruined them. --- There, &c., to [verse] 47., is borrowed from Numbers xxi. 27.[28, 29.?] Sehon had taken Hesebon from Moab. --- Part. Moses has "Ar, of Moab, and the inhabitants of the heights of Arnon." [Numbers xxi. 28. (Calmet) --- Tumult. Hebrew shaon, (Haydock) means also pride, in which sense Balaam uses Seth, Numbers xxiv. 17. (Calmet) Days. When they, Elam and the other Gentiles, shall be converted to the faith of Christ. We read of no other bringing back, (Worthington) though it might take place. (Haydock) Melchom, the idol of the Ammonites. (Challoner) --- Gad, to whom a part of their country was assigned. After the captivity this tribe, the Ammonites seized the country, regardless of God's appointment. They joined the Chaldeans afterwards; but the latter could not depend upon them, and sent them into captivity, to revenge the death of Godolias, chap. xli. 2., Sophonias ii. 8., and Ezechiel xxv. 3. (Calmet) --- They had taken the country as their right, as if all Israel had perished; which God resents. (Worthington) Rabbath; called Amana, Astarte, and Philadelphia, by Stephanus. --- Possess; returning first from captivity, and subduing the cities of Ammon, under Hyrcan, 1 Machabees v. 6. Hai, or Je-abarim. Both these cities pertained also to Moab. --- Hedges. Hebrew Gederoth, may be the city Gadara. --- Melchom, or Moloc, who claimed dominion over this people. If they had used their reason, they must have seen that he was no god, since the Lord disposed of him as he pleased so long before. Delicate. Hebrew, "rebel or dissolute." Septuagint, "impudent." Edom. This nation was involved in the common ruin, for its barbarity towards God's people, Abdias x., Psalm cxxxvi. 7., and Ezechiel xxv. 12. --- Theman, renowned formerly for wisdom, Job ii. 11. Yet at the approach of danger, all were confounded. (Calmet) --- They were only worldly wise. (Worthington) Hole. The territory of Edom, from Eleutheropolis to Elath, is full of such. (St. Jerome, in Abdias) --- Dedan lies south of the Dead Sea. (Calmet) Secrets, or lurking holes, ver. 8. (Haydock) --- God permits the Chaldeans to plunder all. --- Brethren; Israelites. --- Neighbours; Moab, &c. Was not so much. There were some faithful Jews, chap. xxv. 28. (Calmet) Bosra, different from that of Ammon; (chap. xlviii. 24.; Cellar. iii. 14.) though this may be doubtful. Could such a city be unknown? Ambassador; Jeremias: or rather this is a personification of the passions, which would sufficiently prompt the Chaldeans. (Calmet) --- A good angel might urge them to execute the divine decrees. (Theodoret) --- The greatest armies are thus made use of by Providence, without approving of their malicious designs. Little. Edom was scarcely known, except in sacred history; and it was forced to receive circumcision by the Machabees. Hill. The mountains were numerous, and full of caverns, ver. 8. Desolate. The few who survived left their ancient territories, which are now a desert, like most of Stony Arabia. (Calmet) --- Hiss, out of contempt. The punishment was so great as to excite surprise. (Worthington) Swelling. Literally, "pride;" (Haydock) or those banks which the Jordan reaches, when it overflows. They are lined with woods, from which lions rush to devour the sheep. (Calmet) --- Strong "one's dwelling." (Hebrew) (Haydock) (Zacharias xi. 3.) --- Over her. What sort of men come to the attack? or, who shall dare resist them? (Calmet) Little. Chaldean, "chiefs of the people." Tsair (Haydock) is supposed to have this sense, Micheas v. 2. (Calmet) --- But the weakest of the Chaldeans will be an overmatch for Edom. (Haydock) Damascus, the capital of Syria, Isaias vii. 8. (Worthington) --- It was punished at the same time as the rest. (Josephus) --- Arphad; Arad, an island near Tyre, or Raphan\'e6. (Theodoret) --- Syriac, "Rephad....they are troubled from the sea." Nabuchodonosor left Tyre to invade them. (Calmet) --- As in. The islands of the Mediterranean tremble for themselves, and all Syria is afraid, hearing of the fall of so many cities and nations. They. Hebrew, Septuagint, and Chaldean add, "not." Why have they not spared this beautiful city? or, why have not its citizens given it up, to prevent its entire demolition? Benadad. So the kings were usually styled, 3 Kings xv. 8. Septuagint, "the son of Ader." Cedar and Asor were parts of Arabia; which, with Moab, Ammon, Edom, &c., were all brought under the yoke of Nabuchodonosor. (Challoner) --- We know nothing of the situation of Asor, which means "a court." (Calmet) --- It might be the flying camp (Theodoret) of the Saracens, (St. Jerome, in Isaias xxi. 16.) who dwelt under tents like the hordes of Tartars, the Ethiopian emperor, and the mogul. Yet this seems to have been a fixed habitation, ver. 30, 33. --- East; the Desert Arabia, ver. 32. (Calmet) --- Cedar was the son of Ismael, and Asor the chief city of the Agarens. (Worthington) About. The enemy shall terrify them, and plunder all their riches. Alone. We need not fear any resistance. They have no allies. (Calmet) --- The ancient Suevi, of Germany, laid waste the surrounding countries, that they might appear more terrible. (Cesar iv., and vi.) Wind; throughout the world. --- Round. Chap. ix. 26. (Calmet) --- This the Arabs did, in imitation of Bacchus. (Herodotus iii. 8.) Elam. A part of Persia. (Challoner) --- The Elamites had besieged Jerusalem, under Manasses, (Calmet) and are therefore punished. (Worthington) --- They were subject to Aseradon: Nabuchodonosor subdued them after the other nations, ver. 36. Cyrus set his countrymen at liberty, (Calmet) and thus began his conquests. (Haydock) --- Pagan historians assert, at random, that they were before subject to the Medes. Thence. Daniel (viii. 2.) governed at Susa, the capital of Elam, for Baltassar. Return. They joined the standards of Cyrus, and became masters of the East. (Calmet) --- This and similar texts are understood of the conversion of the Gentiles, Acts ii. 7. (Worthington)