Many. Even to the ends of the earth, Psalm ii. 8. --- Strong. Demons, Jews, &c. Hebrew, "with the strong" apostles. --- Wicked thieves. Barabbas, &c. --- Transgressors. His executioners. The gospel could not speak plainer. (Calmet) CHAPTER LIII. Barren Jews in captivity, or Church of the Gentiles, to which alone the expressions can be applied. (Calmet) --- The Gentiles were before unfruitful, as the Jews will be till towards the latter times. (Worthington) Stakes, to receive so great a family. All the Israelites did not return, and it does not appear that many embraced their religion, as they have done that of Christ. Left. To the north and south. Jerusalem increased. But what was it compared with the Christians establishment! Widowhood. Thy former excesses shall be forgotten. (Calmet) Thee. Hebrew, " Bohalaic (Haydock) shall be your Baalim," or husband, who was styled Lord, 1 Peter iii. 6. Perhaps he may allude to the two wives, the synagogues and the Church, or to the idols, which should be adored no more. Youth. This enhances her fault. God is pleased to overlook it, in the captives (chap. l. 1.) and Gentiles. Earth. Giving him the rainbow for a sign. My covenant with the Church is equally irrevocable: she is founded on a rock, Matthew xvi. 18. (Calmet) --- Christ will no more abandon her than he will drown the world. Some mountains shall be moved out of their place, but she shall not. (Worthington) Sapphires. Hebrew, "antimony," a mineral shining like silver, 4 Kings ix. 30. CHAPTER LIV. Bulwarks. Hebrew, windows of crystal; (Ezechiel xxvii. 1[].; Calmet) Protestants, "of agate." (Haydock) --- All this is allegorical, like the redemption of the new Jerusalem, Apocalypse. xxi. Lord, Christ, Jeremias xxxi. 33., and John vi. 45. Thee. The Cutheans rendered the Jews suspected, 1 Esdras iv. 2., and vi. 1 To thee, in the inheritance. This was verified in the Church. We have no accout of many being converted before. Destroy. I can give peace or war. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "but I have created thee not for utter destruction." (Haydock) Waters, which in that country are very scarce. --- Milk. Septuagint, "fat." (Calmet) --- In the western Churches, wine and honey were given to the new baptized, chap. vii. 15. (St. Jerome) --- Christ invites all to come to him, John iv. 14,. and vii. 37. The establishment of the Church is described under the figure of the return from Babylon. (Calmet) --- Grace is offered to all. But only those are justified who thirst, and do their best, Matthew v. 6. (Worthington) David. I will be equally faithful to you, Psalm lxxxviii. 29. Septuagint, " the holy things of David faithful, " Acts xiii. 34. The resurrection of Christ fully accomplished the promise made to David. Him. David, who continually proclaimed the divine mercies, (Psalm xvii. 1.) or rather Christ; though Grotius alone would refer it to Jeremias. (Calmet) Not with approbation. (Haydock) --- The Gentiles are converted. Near. He will shortly (Calmet) turn to the Gentiles, John xii. 35., and Acts xiii. 46. (Haydock) Way. This is a necessary preliminary to God's service. (Worthington) My ways. I am not vindictive, but require a sincere conversion. (Calmet) --- We cannot serve both God and the world. We must therefore adhere to the former. (Worthington) Sent it. I will assuredly bring you from Babylon; and the rain shall sooner return upwards than I will break my promise. Peace, by strangers, chap. xlix. 22. --- Hands, for joy. (Calmet) --- Ipsa sonant arbusta Deus Deus ille, Menacla. (Virgil, Eclogues v.) Myrtle-tree. Instead of the wicked, the just shall be seen. (Chaldean) --- Away. The conversion and sanctity of the Gentiles shall be a trophy to the Lord. (Menochius)