Historical chapter commentary
Verse 3. 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.
Verse 4. According. Hebrew “in ( Calmet.) the multitude of his idols.” Bible.—I will still disclose the truth; (Chal.) 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 Kennicott. 22:10. Christ evaded the insidious questions of his enemies. Matthew 21:23. Calmet.
Verse 5. The. Septuagint “he may ensnare the house,” ( Bible.) or “to bring” unto repentance. Chal. Calmet.
Verse 6. Turn. Such people must first be admonished to relinquish idols, heresy, and so forth that they may come to God. Worthington.
Verse 7. By myself, or on my own account. God does not encourage falsehood. Calmet.
Verse 9. Err. He speaks of false prophets, answering out of their own heads, and according to their own corrupt inclinations.—Deceived, and so forth 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 22. Bible.—He could do nothing of himself. Saint Jerome 2 Kennicott. xxii. 22. Calmet.—Here also an interrogation might be used ( Bible.) in Hebrew “have I?” and so forth Feiffer dub. cent. 4. b. lviii.—I have manifested the deceit. Calmet. 13:18.
Verse 10. Be. They shall be punished alike. Calmet.
Verse 14. Job. He and Noe were dead, yet undoubtedly interceded for the people, or their names would not here be mentioned. Jeremiah 15:1. 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. verse 21. Calmet.—Noe could not avert the deluge, nor Job the death of his children, neither could Daniel rescue his people from captivity. Saint Jerome—The first denotes pastors, the second fathers of families, and Daniel such as live continent. Saint Augustine—All three had been very merciful. Saint John Chrysostom hom. xliii. 1. in Gen.—Job is placed for holy laymen, and Daniel for people of religious orders. Saint 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. Bible.
Verse 19. Pestilence. Septuagint “death,” as verse 12. ( Calmet.) denoting the plague. Calmet. 5:2. Bible.
Verse 22. 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. Saint 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. Bible.