Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Earth. After the ten preceding threats, the prophet denounces destruction to the whole world, ( Worthington.) at the day of judgment; though he may also allude to the desolation of the promised land, as our Saviour joins both in the same prediction. Matthew 24. Calmet.
Verse 2. Priest. All distinctions shall be disregarded. Worthington.—When Jerusalem was taken, all became captives.
Verse 4. Weakened: Joakim, and so forth are made prisoners. The greatest monarchs must come before God’s tribunal.
Verse 6. Sin. Towards the end of the world iniquity will abound, and men shall rage against each other. Matthew 24. Worthington.—They will also feel the effects of sin.—Mad: abandoned to their passions, (Deuteronomy 28:28) excepting only the elect. Menochius.—Few. The Chaldees permitted only a few of the poorest sort to remain. 2 Chronicles 29:10.
Verse 9. The drink. Hebrew shecar, “palm wine.”
Verse 10. Vanity. Jerusalem, ( Calmet.) or any other city, will be all in confusion. Bible.—In, as was the case in times of mourning. Jeremiah 9:21. Calmet.
Verse 14. Sea. The few elect (verse 13) being rescued from the misery of the world, shall praise God. Bible.—They are exhorted to lift up their heads. Lu. 21:28. Menochius.
Verse 15. Instruction. The Church is like an island, compared with the rest of the world; or it preaches the gospel to all nations, and to the islands, like Great Britain. Worthington.—Apostolic men are required to preach incessantly to all sorts of people. Hebrew “in light;” or Pagn. “in vales.” Menochius.
Verse 16. I said. The prophet, or any other, may speak thus in the latter days. Calmet.—Myself. I cannot recount what horrid pains I beheld. Saint Jerome Menochius. 2 Corinthians 12:4.
Verse 17. Snare. He alludes to the methods of taking wild beasts. Job 18:11.—Opened, as they were in the days of Noe. Calmet.—All sorts of misery hang over us.
Verse 20. Night, unexpectedly, ( Bible.) and with the utmost speed. Calmet.
Verse 21. High. The stars, which in many places of the Scripture are so called. Some commentators explain that these words here signify the demons of the air. Challoner.—The apostate angels will be judged. 1 Corinthians 6:6. Matthew 24:29.
Verse 22. Visited. Hence Origen (Prin. iii. 6. and so forth) took occasion to assert, that the damned would one day be released, though the Scripture so often declares the contrary. The prophet speaks of the future liberation of the Jews; ( Calmet.) or he intimates that after many days, yea throughout eternity, the reprobate will still be punished. Menochius.
Verse 23. Blush: he turned into blood. Joel 2:10. Dreadful calamities shall ensue, to usher in the great day of judgment. Calmet.