Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Petra. Hebrew selah, “the rock.” Bible.—Our Saviour spring from Ruth, the Moabitess. Menochius.—The original may insinuate, that the king of the country had neglected to pay the usual tribute to Juda. 4 Kennicott. 3:4. Calmet.—“Send the lamb to the ruler,” and so forth Tournemine. Amid scenes of distress, the prophet perceives that the Saviour will proceed from one of this nation. Worthington.
Verse 2. Arnon. They shall not be able to fly over, or to escape the conqueror.
Verse 3. Night. Seek a retreat in the darkest places; or protect Israel when they shall flee before the Assyrians. Their cruelty is thus insinuated. Amos 1.
Verse 4. Dust. Theglathphalassar. I need not exhort you to receive my people, as I know your dispositions, and they are out of danger. Calmet.
Verse 5. Just. This regards Christ, (Saint Jerome) prefigured by ( Bible.) Ezechias. Calmet.
Verse 7. Walls. Hebrew “Kir-hareseth.” Calmet. 15:1. Bible.
Verse 8. Lords. Princes of Jerusalem, (Lamentations 1:1) or of Assyria. Calmet.—Sea. Of Sodom, even as far as Jazer, ( Bible.) in the tribe of Ruben. Calmet.
Verse 9. My tears. Calmet. 15:5. Bible.—I announce a different sort of music from that which is customary in times of harvest, and of vintage. The liquor shall be tears. Calmet. 63:2. Jeremiah 48:32. 33. Calmet.
Verse 10. Carmel. This name is often taken to signify a fair and fruitful hill or field, such as Mount Carmel is. Challoner.—It means, “the vine of God.” Calmet.
Verse 11. Wall. Kir-hareseth. verse 7. I am grieved at your misfortunes. Calmet.
Verse 12. Prevail. Chamos shall not be able to help them.
Verse 13. That time. A long while ago. Psalms 92:2.
Verse 14. Not many. It was laid waste in the third year of Ezechias. But its final destruction took place only five years after that of Jerusalem. Calmet.—The wars against Moab continued three years, after which it was reduced to servitude. Worthington.