The corn, &c. His most excellent gift is the blessed Eucharist, called here the corn, that is, the bread of the elect, and the wine springing forth virgins, that is, maketh virgins to bud, or spring forth as it were like flowers among thorns, because it has a wonderful efficacy to give and preserve purity. (Challoner) --- It enables the weak to despise all things for the sake of virtue, and makes them fruitful and eloquent, as the original implies. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "a fragrant wine for virgins." (Haydock) --- Christ is the grain of wheat, which dying, brings forth much fruit, (John xii.) and "of this wheat that bread is made which came from heaven," John vi. (St. Jerome) (Worthington) --- "How shall not they have joy, who being inebriated with the cup of our Saviour, are made virgins?" This was partly verified in the days of the Machabees, to whom plenty was granted. (St. Jerome) (Haydock) --- Those who partake worthily of the blessed Eucharist, become strong and pure. (Menochius) --- Protestants, "corn shall make the young men cheerful, (marginal note: grow, or speak) and new wine the maids." (Haydock) CHAPTER IX. Snows. Protestants, "Bright clouds," or "lightnings." (Haydock) --- God will presently grant your requests, after the persecution of Epiphanes. (Calmet) --- The latter season is when fruit ripens, the acceptable time to sue for grace. (Worthington) Vanity. Jason prevailed on many to imitate the Gentiles, 1 Machabees i. 12. Goats; the leaders of the people, Jeremias l. 8. (Calmet) --- Vir gregis ipse caper. (Virgil, Eclogues vii.) --- Jason died in exile, Lysimachus was slain in the temple, Alcimus perished miserably, and Menelaus was hurled among ashes, 2 Machabees v. 5., and iv. 39., and xiii. 4., and 1 Machabees ix. 54. --- Battle. The apostates have suffered: God will not abandon his flock, but raises up Mathathias, &c. Corner, to connect the building. The Machabees were not of the tribe of Juda; but it was the chief, and gave name to the rest. Judas was also a figure of Christ, the chief corner-stone, and he should be born of that tribe. --- Pin, to fasten down the tent, or to hang things upon. These comparisons were not deemed mean, 1 Esdras ix. 8., and Isaias xxii. 23. --- Exactor. The term may have a good as well as a bad sense. Taxes must be paid for the support of lawful governments. Judas forced other nations to pay tribute. (Calmet) --- The same term in Ethiopia, means "a king." (De Dieu) Riders. The Syrians, with (Haydock) all their cavalry, were routed by a few ill-armed infantry. (Calmet) Joseph. All the tribes shall embrace the gospel at last. (Worthington) --- Back, from the caverns to which they had fled. Valiant. Ephraim was a powerful and valiant tribe, Deuteronomy xxxiii. 17. (Calmet) Whistle. Christians are sweetly drawn by inspirations, without clamorous words. (St. Cyril) (Worthington) --- This expression shews the sovereign dominion of God. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "I will give them a sign." (Haydock) Me. The Jews were spread throughout the world, and adhered to their own customs. (Philo) See Acts ii. 8. --- While they enjoyed the greatest prosperity, they kept together in a small territory. It is wonderful how they have since increased. For them. They returned from the places to which they had been dispersed during former wars, when Judas had liberated his country. (Calmet) Sea. The Jews pretend that the Bosphorus' straits were dried up, to afford them a passage. (St. Jerome) --- But they must produce some stronger text to prove such a miracle. No obstacles shall be able to retard God's people, Isaias xi. 16. --- Assyria. After Epiphanes, the kingdom subsisted only about seventy years. --- Egypt. The Ptolemies excluded the natural princes, who have never regained the throne. They who had so often disturbed the Jews, were deprived of their power over them by the Syrians, and never could prevail there again after the Machabees. (Calmet) --- When the faithful are confirmed in their religion, the enemy cannot hurt them. (Worthington)