Having cleansed the sanctuary, they made another altar of sacrifice. Striking flint and starting a fire, they offered sacrifices after they had ceased for two years, burned incense, lit lamps, and set out the show bread.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Stones; “heated,” (Greek Syr. Serar.) or by miracle, (Arab. Gorion. Tirinus.) or striking fire with a flint upon tinder. In this manner the Church still renews fire on Holy Saturday. The Jews could not use profane fire in the temple. Leviticus 10:1. God restored the sacred fire by miracle. Calmet. 1:18. and so forth Pagans have had many superstitious customs with regard to fire. Calmet.
Adde quod arcanâ fieri novus ignis in æde
Dicitur et vires flamma reflecta capit. Ovid, Fast. iii.
—They obtained fire by means of a burning glass. Calmet.—If the vestal suffered it to go out, she was scourged by the pontiff. Sextus.—Two, dating from the administration of Judas, and three since the temple was defiled. Usher, A. 3840.
Greek firing.