Perverseness, in "wresting of judgment." (Protestant marginal note) What else can be expected, when the judges deny Providence? (Haydock) CHAPTER IX. Throne. It was a sky blue crystal or sapphire colour, (chap. i. 22, 26.) and was now empty, chap. i. The Lord spoke from the temple door, ver. 4. (Haydock) Out, to purify (St. Jerome) or punish the city, (Theodoret) which would shortly be reduced to ashes. (Vatable) (Menochius) Right, south of the priests' court. Lifted up, before chap. ix. 3. (Calmet) --- A man seemed to be on the throne, (Worthington) or rather over the door of the holy place. Court of the people. --- Speaking in thunder. Wings. They would seem to be distinct, or (Calmet) fingers appeared at the end of the wings. (Grotius) CHAPTER X. Stone. Hebrew Tharsis. Symmachus, "Hyacinth." (Chap. i. 16.) (Calmet) By four ways. That is, by any of the four ways, forward, backward, to the right, or to the left. (Challoner) (Worthington) Wheels. These, as well as (Haydock) the cherubim, (Theodoret) were full of eyes. (Calmet) Voluble. That is, rolling wheels: galgal, (Challoner) which means "rolling:" (Haydock) or "he said to the wheels, Turn around about." (Theodoret) --- This is the real import of Hebrew. (Calmet) --- Protestants have, "O wheel." (Haydock) Cherub, or "ox." All four seem to have had the resemblance of a man, but one more than the rest, which had respectively the appearance rather of an ox, a lion, or an eagle: (Worthington) or the ox was predominant in all, as both the head and feet were of it; (Calmet) which, however, does not constitute the greatest part, chap. i. 5. (Haydock) Creature. What I saw, was properly called cherubim. Charab, in Syriac means "to labour;" (Spencer) or cherubim may imply any composed and unusual figure, or "mixture," Exodus xxv. 18. (Calmet) --- Ezechiel being a priest, saw that the creatures resembled the cherubim of the temple. (Tirinus) Life. They were not mere machines; (Haydock) or they were pushed forward by an impetuous wind. East gate, leading from the city to the court of the people. (Calmet) -- How unwilling is this good father to leave his house! (Tirinus) Creature. The cherubim and all the throne seemed alive. (Haydock) Forward, thus shewing God's decree to abandon the synagogue. (Tirinus) Me. The prophet in Chaldea, saw in spirit what was doing at Jerusalem. (Worthington) --- Men. Magistrates. (Prado.) (Tirinus) (Menochius) --- Jezonias, perhaps mentioned [in] chap. viii. 11. (Calmet) Built, &c. These men despised the predictions and threats of the prophets; who declared them to be from God, that the city should be destroyed and the inhabitants carried into captivity: and they made use of this kind of argument against the prophets, that the city so far from being like to be destroyed, had lately be augmented by the building of new houses; from whence they further inferred, by way of a proverb, using the similitude of a cauldron, out of which the flesh is not taken till it is thoroughly boiled and fit to be eaten, that they should not be carried away out of thier city, but there end their days in peace. (Challoner) --- They thought themselves secure, (Worthington) and laughed at the menaces of Jeremias, i. 15. (Calmet) --- Hebrew, "The destruction is not soon coming. Let us build;" (Pagnin; Menochius) or, "It is not time to build." (Calmet) Slain, under Manasses, &c. (Tirinus) Cauldron. I will explain the prediction, which you turn to ridicule. Those whom you have slain, are like the flesh (Calmet) boiled. (Haydock) --- But you shall be treated still worse, being led captives and slain. (Calmet) --- They feared wars, but had no dread of captivity. (Worthington) Israel. They pretended that they should die in peace in Jerusalem: God tells them it should not be so, but that they should be judged and condemned, and fall by the sword in the borders of Israel; viz., in Reblatha, in the land of Emath, where all their chief men were put to death by order of Nabuchodonosor, 4 Kings xxv., and Jeremias lii. 10, 27. (Challoner) But you. Some copies of Septuagint have, "neither have you done," chap. v. 7. Pheltias, the prince, (ver. 1.; Haydock) or false prophet, whose death Ezechiel does not bewail, but fears the great destruction of the people; (Worthington; Menochius) though, if Pheltias died impenitent, his death might justly call for tears. (Haydock) --- This happened in a vision. Yet (Calmet) he probably died suddenly about his time. (Lyranus) Thy brethren, &c. He speaks of them that had been carried away captives before, who were despised by them that remained in Jerusalem; but, as the prophet here declares to them from God, should be in a more happy condition than they, and after some time return from their captivity. (Challoner) --- David had been insulted in like manner, 1 Kings xxvi. 19. (Calmet) A little. Hebrew, "for a short time, a sanctuary," or temple. They shall find all things in me. The Christian Church was never more pure than during the first persecutions, when her children could not assemble freely, or build temples. (Calmet) --- God will never totally abandon her, Jeremias iv. 27., &c. (Worthington) Scandals: idols. They relapsed no more into idolatry, (Calmet) as a nation, though some fell in the persecution of Epiphanes. (Haydock) One. Septuagint, "another." They have read (Calmet) acher for echad, "one." (Haydock) Head. I will punish them as their crimes deserve. (Calmet) CHAPTER XI. Mount Olivet, whence he might behold the conflagration of the city, before his ascent into heaven. (Menochius) --- He leaves his habitation by degrees, to shew how Jerusalem would be treated, and the Jews suffer after the ascension of our Saviour. Theodoret well observes, that the person on the throne represented Him, the upper part of the body being different from the lower, (chap. i. 26.) to denote the two natures. (Calmet) Removing. Literally, "vessels of transmigration," (Haydock) or bundles, (Calmet) and what was requisite for travelling, (Worthington) or in exile. (Haydock) --- All this, to chap. xx., happened five years before the fall of Jerusalem. (Calmet) --- See chap. viii. 1. (Haydock) Be carried. (Septuagint) St. Jerome reads, "thou shalt carry thy bundles on the shoulder," as many explain the Hebrew, (Calmet) and also ver. 7. "I bear it upon my shoulder," ver. 12. (Protestants) (Haydock) --- Cover, to denote the blindness of Sedecias, (Calmet) or his attempt to disguise himself. (Haydock) --- The faces of criminals were covered, Esther vii. The king and nobles escaped through a breach, Jeremias xxxix. 4. (Calmet) --- Sign. Literally, "a prodigy to," &c. (Haydock) --- The actions as well as the words of the prophet indicated what would happen. (St. Jerome, ver. 11.) Jerusalem. The people regarded not Jeremias. This prediction would be sent to them to confirm what he said, while it would tend to keep up the spirits of those who were in captivity. (Theodoret) (Calmet) --- Israel. The people, or those of the ten tribes who had retired thither. (Menochius) Net, as was done in war, and to catch wild beasts, Jeremias xvi. 16. (Calmet) --- Not see it, because his eyes shall be put out by Nabuchodonosor. (Challoner) --- The false prophets thought they perceived a contradiction here; (Worthington) and Sedecias, confronting it with Jeremias xxxviii. 18., disregarded both. (Josephus, Antiquities x. 10.) --- This was more pardonable than for Paine to object this as an inconsistency, after the event has so clearly verified the predictions of both, and shewed their consent. (Haydock) --- The unhappy prince saw too late the true meaning. (Calmet) --- He was put in a cage, like a wild beast, and conveyed blind to Babylon. (St. Jerome) Them. Many joined Godolias, chap. v. 2. (Haydock) Sorrow. Act like one under great anxiety and distress. (Calmet) Proverb, or common saying. (Worthington) --- Prolonged. They took occasion from God's long suffering to become more wicked, (Calmet) and even asserted that the prophets told nothing but lies, (Theodoret) and spoke of events at a great distance, that they might not be detected. If what they announced came to pass, they attributed it to chance; (Calmet) if it did not, being only conditional, they ridiculed this idea as a mere subterfuge. (Haydock) --- As the prophets had long before foretold the captivity, and it had not yet taken place, (Worthington) in general, though many were already in exile, (Haydock) they concluded that it would never be realized. Thus heretics deny the general judgment, 1 Peter iii. (Worthington) --- Every vision, on this head, ver. 28. Many events were revealed that regarded the times of Christ, Daniel ix., &c. (Haydock) CHAPTER XII. Heart; what pleases them, (Haydock) without being inspired. There were always such impostors. These deluded the people at Jerusalem, (Calmet) or at Babylon, ver. 9. (Sanctius) --- They might be distinguished by the sincere: yet caused irreparable injury to the ignorant people. (Haydock) Nothing. Yet would lead the blind, though they are not directed by God. Deserts, or ruins. They sought only to gratify themselves. Enemy. You do not admonish sinners of their evil ways, nor strive to avert God's indignation, in imitation of true prophets, (Exodus xxxii. 10.) but rather undermine the wall like foxes. Upon, to punish. --- Counsel. They shall not be consulted, or have any credit. --- Writing. They shall perish in the city, or in banishment. (Calmet) --- Their works shall not be accounted canonical. (Sixt. Bib. ii. 2.) Straw. Iniquity ruins my people, (Calmet) and these do not endeavour to reform their manners. (Haydock) --- They ought to demolish such a work, and not dab it over. (Theodoret) --- One false prophet builds, and another strives to support his authority; (Junius) or God has given the people his law, but these people corrupt it. (St. Jerome) --- A wall built without proper mortar, will easily be washed down: so vain hopes of security, without amendment, deceive the people. (Worthington) Hailstones. Literally, "stones," like those which fell on the enemies of Josue, (x. 11.; Haydock) or thunderbolts. (Grotius) (Calmet) --- Such will be the fate of all the buildings of the wicked, Matthew vii. 27. (Haydock) --- None can resist the judgments of God, who will employ the Chaldeans. (Menochius) You. Literally, "it." But Hebrew and Septuagint have, "ye." (Haydock) --- The wall and the inhabitants shall perish. (Calmet) Daughters: so false prophets are styled in scorn, (Vatable) or witches; (Rabbins) though it seems rather that there were false prophetesses as well as true ones. Such were Prisca and Maximilla among the Montanists. Women have commonly fostered heresies. (Calmet) --- These pretended to be illuminated, like Debora and Holda; but flattered the people in their sins, instead of reclaiming them. (Worthington) Cushions, by making people easy in their sins, and promising them impunity, (Challoner) by disguising the truth, or not admonishing people of their danger, chap. iii. 17. He alludes to the cushions used on sofas. --- Pillows. Symmachus, "veils;" (Septuagint and Kimchi) or "nets" designed "to take" the unwary; as mispachot maybe properly rendered, ver. 20, 21., and Isaias v. 7. (Calmet) --- Souls. That is, they flattered them with promises of life, peace, and security. (Challoner) (Worthington) --- People are often said to do what they only announce, Leviticus xiii. 11. These impostors pretended to save, while they really destroyed. They shewed a cruel mercy, detaining the people in captivity, or rather Hebrew, "shall you catch?" &c. Do you expect to pass unpunished? (Calmet) --- We might read the Vulgate, "Did they give?" &c. Protestants, "Will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?" (Haydock) Violated me. That is, dishonoured and discredited me. (Challoner) --- Protestants, "and will ye pollute?" &c. (Haydock) --- They employed the name of God to give credit to their lies, for the smallest advantage. --- Souls, &c. That is, to sentence souls to death, which are not to die: and to promise life to them who are not to live. (Challoner) --- They contradicted Jeremias, who exhorted the people to surrender. (Calmet) Catch. Hebrew also, "hunt the souls to make them into gardens, (Haydock) or flourishing." Septuagint, "you gather souls there." The original seems to be incorrect, ver. 18. CHAPTER XIII. Just. Jeremias, or any other, particularly the more simple, who were easily seduced and filled with apprehensions. You shall therefore die, (ver. 23.) and your imposture shall be made known. (Calmet) Uncleanness. That is, their filthy idols, upon which they have set their hearts: and which are a stumbling-block to their souls. (Challoner) --- They came, it seems, to tempt the prophet, (Calmet) as God shewed him. Thus worldlings consult Catholic priests; yet are resolved to join with heretics. (Worthington) According. Hebrew, "in (Calmet) the multitude of his idols." (Haydock) --- I will still disclose the truth; (Chaldean) or a false prophet is here spoken of, whom God will suffer to deceive those who wish to be deluded. He will not have his own prophets speak an untruth. See 3 Kings xxii. 10. Christ evaded the insidious questions of his enemies, Matthew xxi. 23. (Calmet) The. Septuagint, "he may ensnare the house," (Haydock) or "to bring" unto repentance. (Chaldean) (Calmet) Turn. Such people must first be admonished to relinquish idols, heresy, &c., that they may come to God. (Worthington) By myself, or on my own account. God does not encourage falsehood. (Calmet) Err. He speaks of false prophets, answering out of their own heads, and according to their own corrupt inclinations. --- Deceived, &c. God Almighty deceives false prophets, partly by withdrawing his light from them; and abandoning them to their own corrupt inclinations, which push them on to prophesy such things as are agreeable to those that consult them: and partly by disappointing them, and causing all things to happen contrary to what they have said. (Challoner) --- God permits the deception, to punish both the impostor and his hearers. (Worthington) --- Thus was Balaam treated, (Calmet) Numbers xxii. (Haydock) --- He could do nothing of himself, (St. Jerome) 2 Kings xxii. 22. (Calmet) --- Here also an interrogation might be used (Haydock) in Hebrew, "have I?" &c. (Feiffer dub. cent. 4. b. lviii.) --- I have manifested the deceit, chap. xiii. 18. Be. They shall be punished alike. (Calmet) Job. He and Noe[Noah] were dead, yet undoubtedly interceded for the people, or their names would not here be mentioned, Jeremias xv. 1. (Worthington) --- When God is resolved to treat all with rigour, he will save only the just. They shall not be able to protect even their children. But Jerusalem shall not experience such severity, ver. 21. (Calmet) --- Noe could not avert the deluge, nor Job the death of his children, neither could Daniel rescue his people from captivity. (St. Jerome) --- The first denotes pastors, the second fathers of families, and Daniel such as live continent. (St. Augustine) --- All three had been very merciful. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xliii. 1. in Genesis) --- Job is placed for holy laymen, and Daniel for people of religious orders. (St. Gregory, Mor. i. 13.) (Worthington) --- Hence perhaps Job is placed last, though cotemporary with Moses, as most people suppose. He is not therefore a fabulous personage. (Haydock) Pestilence. Septuagint, "death," as ver. 12., (Calmet) denoting the plague, chap. v. 2. (Haydock) CHAPTER XIV. Left. Pastors will always remain to instruct God's children. (Worthington) --- Doings. Their words (Calmet) and conduct even in captivity, will evince that they have not been punished unjustly. (St. Jerome) --- From them you may judge what sort of men their fathers were; or, as they have been spared for their virtue, you may conclude that the rest would not have perished, if they had been innocent. (Haydock) Wood. Small branches or tendrils. The vines of that country were probably small. (Calmet) --- The wild vine (Sanctius) grows very large, and the wood is durable, so that statues, pillars, and ladders were formed of it. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xiv. 1.) --- Strabo (ii., and xi.) mentions the trunk of a vine which two men could hardly clasp, and the bunch of grapes was two cubits high. But the prophet speaks of the small branches, which are fit only for the fire. (Calmet) --- God's Church is often compared to a vine on account of its fruit, and the branches separated form her resemble the useless cuttings. (St. Augustine, tr. lxxxi. in John) (Worthington) --- See Ward's Tree of Life, where this is set in a very striking light. In every age the Church makes fresh conquests, while heretics leave and persecute her. (Haydock) Thereon. Isaias xxii. 23. (Calmet) --- The Turkish lords have no furniture in their rooms, but hang their arms, saddles, &c., upon such pins, or on strings. (Roger. ii.) Ashes. It is not even solid enough for fuel. (Calmet) --- When a faggot is consumed in the middle, the ends are also put into the fire; so not one shall escape who dies out of the Church. (Worthington) --- The wicked Jews shall surely suffer, ver. 6. (Haydock) From fire. If they escape one misery they shall fall into another, as the event shewed. (Calmet) --- They shall be thrown back into the fire. (Menochius)