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The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Moab, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime;
Verse 1. Ashes. Some think that he alludes to 4 Kennicott. 3:27 or rather to some war, the ashes of the dead were disturbed. Calmet.—Both these acts of inhumanity deserved severe punishment. Worthington.
but I will send a fire on Moab, and it will devour the palaces of Kerioth; and Moab will die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet;
Verse 2. Fire: war under Ozias. Calmet.—Carioth. Septuagint “the cities.” Carioth has this meaning, but is was also the name of a great city. Jeremiah 48:24. Bible.
and I will cut off the judge from among them, and will kill all its princes with him,” says the LORD.
Verse 3. Judge, ruler, or head, shall be no more.
The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have rejected the LORD’s law, and have not kept his statutes, and their lies have led them astray, after which their fathers walked;
Verse 4. Walked. After Solomon, scarcely a good prince appeared, till the days of Amos. Juda imitated the idolatry of Israel, hoping thus to find assistance. Calmet.—His crime was the more grievous, as they had the law. Worthington.
but I will send a fire on Judah, and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem.”
Verse 5. Fire. Under Joathan, Rasin, and so forth invaded the country. Achaz increased the misery, by applying to the Assyrians. Calmet.
The LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals;
Verse 6. Just man. Joseph, (Rupert) or our Saviour, (Sanct.) or any other. The expression is proverbial. Ezekiel 13:19. Calmet.—Israel contemned the law, and adopted the abominations of all. Worthington.
They trample the heads of the poor into the dust of the earth and deny justice to the oppressed. A man and his father use the same maiden, to profane my holy name.
Verse 7. Humble, provoking him to anger.—Name. Such incests caused infidels to blaspheme. Leviticus 18:8. Calmet.—They must be punished with severity. Worthington.
They lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge. In the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
Verse 8. Altar. Herein they offended doubly, (Exodus 22:26) as they used the garments of others to hide their shameful actions. 4 Kennicott. 23:7. Calmet.—Septuagint “and tying up their garments with cords, they made veils touching the altar, and drank wine procured by calumnies,” ( Bible.) or “rapine,” and so forth Chal.—Condemned by them unjustly, though some think that a very delicious and intoxicating wine is meant, such as was given to people in grief. Proverbs 31:6. Mark 15:23. Helena learnt in Egypt how to compose such wine. Odys. iv.—Feasting in temples on carpets was an ancient custom.
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.
Verse 9. Beneath. The Israelites seemed like locusts in comparison. Numbers 13:34.
Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.
I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Isn’t this true, you children of Israel?” says the LORD.
Verse 11. Nazarites. Some went secretly to Jerusalem for this purpose; or perhaps they performed these rites illegally at Bethel: for many parts of the law were observed, though not perfectly. Calmet. 4:4. The Nazarites were in high estimation. Lamentations 4:7. But the dissolute Israelites ( Calmet.) derided them as well as the prophets, ( Bible.) and attempted to make them transgress. Calmet.
“But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘Don’t prophesy!’
Behold, I will crush you in your place, as a cart crushes that is full of grain.
Verse 13. I will screek. Unable to bear any longer the enormous load of your sins, and so forth The Spirit of God, as S. Jerom takes notice, accommodates itself to the education of the prophet, and inspires him with encouragements taken from country affairs. Challoner.—Septuagint “I am overturned.” Hebrew “pressed.” Calmet.
“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Flight will perish from the swift. The strong won’t strengthen his force. The mighty won’t deliver himself.
Verse 14. Swift. Jeroboam I. Other kings are described afterwards. Saint Jerome—In the latter times all was in confusion. Calmet.
He who handles the bow won’t stand. He who is swift of foot won’t escape. He who rides the horse won’t deliver himself.
He who is courageous among the mighty will flee away naked on that day,” says the LORD.