Historical chapter commentary
Verse 2. Face. Address, or speak without fearing any man. Worthington.—Seir: Idumea. He speaks of its devastation, both by Nabuchodonosor on the side of Moab, and by the Machabees in what remained. Jeremiah 27:7 and 1 Maccabees 4:60 and 14:33. Calmet.
Verse 5. Enemy. God revenges the injuries done to his Church, as if they were done to himself. Acts 9:4. Worthington.—The enmity of Jacob and of Esau seemed to commence in the womb, and was increased by the purchase of the birth-right, till Jacob’s prudence disarmed his brother. Their descendants sought every opportunity to injure one another. The Idumeans shewed their ill-will particularly, when the Jews were most distressed. This was a piece of the greatest cruelty.
Verse 6. Blood. The Machabees sprung from the same stock. Pursue the Idumeans, and force them to receive circumcision. 1 Maccabees 4:15.
Verse 9. Inhabited for a considerable time, as Calmet. 26:20.
Verse 10. Two. I will add the country of the Jews to my own, or will possess the land belonging to the kingdoms of Juda and of Israel. Their hopes were blasted. They never occupied any thing belonging to the Israelites, and what they had taken from Juda, as far as Hebron, was recovered.—There, witness of these designs, and guardian of his temple, and so forth
Verse 11. Wrath. The Jews shall treat you as you have threatened to do unto them.—By them, my people. Septuagint “to thee.”
Verse 13. Derogated. Septuagint “bawled;” or Hebrew “multiplied your words against me,” as if I could not protect my inheritance. Bible.—You would pretend to judge me, and to fathom my designs.
Verse 14. Rejoice. After the captivity, the Machabees shall conquer Edom.
Verse 15. As, and so forth is not in the Rom. Septuagint S. Jerom says it was marked with an asterisk, being taken from Theodotion. Calmet.—Grabe supplies to thou shalt. His copy has the rest: … “thou shalt know that I am their Lord.” Bible.