People. After the captivity, converts were more cherished. Yet the predictions concerning the call of the Gentiles were accomplished only by the preaching of the gospel. (Calmet) CHAPTER XII. Girdle, usually worn by women. (St. Jerome) (Exodus xxviii. 42.) --- It denoted the Jews, who became more corrupt during the captivity; (ver. 7, 11.) so that God delivered them out of his pure mercy. Thus He explains this prophetical action. (Calmet) --- Loins. God cherished his people. (Menochius) --- Water. He made choice of them when they were rough and deformed. (St. Jerome) --- Their sins cause their ruin. (Haydock) Euphrates, above 150 leagues distant. Some think this was only to be done in spirit: but it is generally supposed that the prophet made this long journey twice. Bochart suggests that Euphrates may be put for Ephrata, or Bethlehem, as the first syllable is often cut off. (Calmet) --- Yet a journey to the Euphrates would represent more strikingly the destination of the people; and it would not be difficult for God to convey Jeremias thither in a short time, if requisite, as he sent Habacuc through the air to carry a dinner to Daniel; (xiv. 32.) though this supposition is not here necessary, as the labour to which Jeremias was repeatedly exposed, might shew the people their manifold transgressions and captivities. (Haydock) --- Such prophetic actions make a deeper impression than words, Hebrews i. The ingratitude of the people is here described, to chap. xxi. (Worthington) Rot. I will bring them low. (Menochius) --- They shall see that all their dependance must be on the divine mercy. Glory; that they might serve me for the edification of the world. Bottle, of earthen ware, chap. xxv. 27. (Calmet) --- Every man shall suffer, ver. 13. (Haydock) --- This is another prophetical similitude denoting extreme perplexity. (Worthington) --- Do. They deride the prophet, as if he said nothing worthy of notice. (Menochius) CHAPTER XIII. Dark. John xii. 35. --- Mountains, beyond the Euphrates, resembling clouds. My soul. Jeremias can do no more. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "your soul,...your eyes," &c. (Haydock) Queen; Nohesta, mother of Joachim, or to the consort of Sedecias. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "to the princes." (Haydock) South, belonging to Juda; (Calmet) or Egypt will afford no protection. (Tournemine) (Chap. xxxvii. 3, 10.) North: ye Chaldeans. (Haydock) --- Hebrew and Septuagint, "see those who come." --- Cattle. O king, what account wilt thou give of the people to the Almighty? (Calmet) Head. Achaz called the Assyrians into the country, and Ezechias had shewn his treasures to the Babylonians. Other kings excited God's indignation. \i Defiled.\i0 Thou art exposed to the brutality of the soldiers.\pa Evil. Bad habits are a sort of second nature. I speak in vain. (Calmet) --- Yet God sometimes converts inveterate sinners, who cannot rise of themselves. (Worthington) Appeared. Thou art treated as a wretched and vile captive. (Haydock) Me; to serve me. (Menochius) Drought, during the last siege, (ver. 18.; St. Jerome) or after the captivity of Jechonias; (chap. viii. 13.) though the famine might happen in the days of Josias, Joel i. (Calmet) --- This scourge was in punishment of sin, and signified the privation of grace. (Worthington) Water. Siloe was the only spring near, and it was often dry, (St. Jerome) though it was formerly abundant, (Josephus, Jewish Wars vi. 6.) as well as the fountain of Gehon. The city was furnished with cisterns. (Calmet) --- But all was now dry. (Haydock) --- Heads; mourning, 2 Kings xv. 30. Field. They prefer places frequented by men. (Pliny, [Natural History?] viii. 32.) Wind, for refreshment. --- Failed, through want, though they be very piercing. Sake. We have the honour to be called thy people. We urge no merit of our own. Lodge. The Fathers apply this to our Saviour, in a spiritual sense. (Calmet) Wandering. Septuagint, "sleeping;" (Haydock) or as a boaster, who thinks himself strong. (Worthington) --- Upon us. Shall strangers rule over thy people? Rested. They are inconstant, fond of novelties, and apply to idols. Good, that the drought may be removed. (Calmet) See chap. vii. 16., and xi. 14. (Menochius) --- "It is folly to pray for him who has sinned unto death," (St. Jerome; 1 John v. 16.) by final impenitence. (Calmet) --- Sacrifices will not benefit the impenitent. (St. Jerome) Ah. Hebrew has only one exclamation, or three letters, which Aquila renders, Ah, ah, ah., chap. i. 6., and Ezechiel iv. 14. (Haydock) --- Jeremias lays the blame on false prophets. (Calmet) --- Yet they afford no excuse to thy followers. Both fall into the ditch. (Worthington) My. Septuagint, "your eyes." Jeremias shews by his tears the future misery. (Calmet) --- Virgin. Though many were sinners, the Church had some just souls. (Worthington) Famine. Under Jechonias many were slain, and the chiefs carried into captivity, 4 Kings xxiv. 12. --- Into. Hebrew, "through the land, and are ignorant." Chaldean, "they apply to their business, to earthly concerns, and care not," chap. v. 31. Glory; heaven, the temple or Jerusalem. How will infidels blaspheme! Rain. Let not the people have recourse to idols, (Calmet) in despair. (Haydock)