Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 29. Issue. Such were looked upon as unclean, (Leviticus 15:3,) and incapable of having children. Aquila translates zab, “blind.” Septuagint “afflicted with the gonorrhœa.”—Distaff, like eunuchs. Delrio, adag. 190. Claud in Eutrop. Tu telas non tela pati, and so forth Some translate a stick, with which the blind, lame and aged endeavour to walk. Calmet.—Any of these conditions would be very mortifying to great warriors. Bible.—Bread. Hunger and famine were considered as a scourge of God. Psalms 58:7, 15, and 108:10. David is not moved with hatred, but foretells what will befall the posterity of these men, whose crime he abhors. Calmet.