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Ver. 1. Ever. True wisdom may be found in the law. It constitutes the happiness of Israel, Deuteronomy iv. 7. Christ perfected and fulfilled it, Matthew v. 7. --- Life. Moses promised temporal blessings; (chap. iii. 14., and Deuteronomy xxx. 15.) yet the faithful would be rewarded eternally. (Calmet) --- Wisdom is the law of God, chap. iii. 12. (Worthington) Ver. 3. Nation. Be faithful, lest another take thy place. This Christians have done, Deuteronomy xxxii. 21. (Calmet)Ver. 5. Memorial. Greek literally, "O memorable Israel." (Haydock) --- Ye are left to support and restore the nation. This part of the letter is for their comfort.Ver. 6. Sold, like slaves, or people taken in war. (Calmet)Ver. 8. God. Literally, "Him." Greek, "the Eternal." (Haydock) --- This is taken from Deuteronomy xxxii. 15. (Calmet) --- Nursed you. The city is beautifully personified as a widow, ver. 12. (Haydock)Ver. 9. Near. Hebrew would be "daughters of Sion," ver. 14.Ver. 15. Tongue. So the Chaldeans are described, Deuteronomy xxviii. 49., and Isaias xxxiii. 19. (Calmet)Ver. 16. Children. Greek, "daughters." (Haydock) --- Many of both sexes were taken with Jechonias. (Calmet) --- Jerusalem comforts her children, and assures them of God's mercy. (Worthington)Ver. 20. Peace: the ornaments worn in my prosperity. --- Sackcloth, or a rough garment, used by penitents and in times of public distress.Ver. 25. Neck. Mardochai, Daniel, &c., were governors, Isaias xl. 14. These predictions were more fully verified when the Gentiles embraced the gospel. (Calmet)Ver. 28. When. Greek, "now ten times as much, being converted, seek him." (Haydock) --- The Jews became much more docile and attached to the law.Ver. 30. Named thee as his servant, spouse, (Calmet) and intimate friend.Ver. 31. The. Greek: Deilaioi. "wretched those who have injured thee, and rejoiced in thy fall! Wretched the cities," &c. (Haydock)Ver. 32. She; Babylon. (Challoner) --- Greek, "Wretched she," &c. (Haydock) --- Babylon shall fall a prey to Cyrus.Ver. 35. Fire of war. --- Devils. Whether they really dwell in ruins, or the people were of that opinion, (as the common sort are still) is not clear, Jeremias l. 39., and Isaias xxxiv. 14.Ver. 37. East and west. From Babylon and from the islands, Isaias xi. 11., and Zacharias viii. 7. |