Verse 2. Place. It was going to be destroyed, and the cares of a family might interrupt the prophet. The Fathers believe that Jeremias never married, (see Saint Jerome in Calmet. xxii. Isidor.) which was then a rare example. Calmet.—He always lived a single life, and not only in time of tribulation. Saint Jerome c. Jov. 1. Worthington.—The Church enforces this law of God for her sacred ministers, in subdeacons and the higher orders. Saint Paul shews the propriety of such a regulation, (1 Corinthians 7) which innovators deem unnatural and tyrannical. How then could God enforce it once? With his grace we may observe celibacy like Jeremias. Bible.
Jeremiah
Verse 4. Illnesses, denoting God’s wrath. Saint Jerome—Earth. The privation of sepulture was accounted one of the greatest evils.
Jeremiah
Verse 5. Feasting: usual at burials for all relations. Calmet.—This custom reduced many to poverty. Jos. Bel. ii. 1.—
Sed cænam funerishæres
Negliget iratus quod rem curtaverit. Pers. vi.
—Mourn, if thou shouldst meet a funeral. Lu. 7:32.
Jeremiah
Verse 6. Cut. Moses prohibited this being done in honour of Adonis. Leviticus 19:27. Deuteronomy 14:1. Ezekiel 27:31. “The custom of cutting the arms and hair still subsists in Judea,” says S. Jerom; and in other countries. Plut. Herodot. iv. 71.
Jeremiah
Verse 7. Cup. Most exquisite things were sent on such occasions. Buxtorf, Syn. xxxv. Proverbs 31:6. Tobit 4:18. John 11:19.
Jeremiah
Verse 8. Feasting. Hebrew “of drinking,” in times of joy.
Jeremiah
Verse 12. Fathers. Hence you are justly partakers of their punishment. Matthew 23:32. Calmet.—A continuance in sin brings on severe punishments; after which, God again shews mercy. Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 13. Gods. Elohim, “masters,” and so forth Calmet. 17:4. Chal. “idolatrous nations.”
Jeremiah
Verse 15. Fathers. He joins consolation with distressing predictions, and alludes to the redemption of mankind, of which the return of the Jews was the most striking pledge.
Jeremiah
Verse 16. Rocks. They shall be found in all their lurking places. Ezekiel 12:12. Habakkuk 1:4. Calmet.—The apostles shall save them. Orig.—The Medes and Persians shall grant them liberty; or rather Nabuchodonosor shall fish at first, and afterwards hunt or destroy more of the Jews. Calmet.—Apostolical men ( Worthington.) shall be like rocks, (Saint Jerome) for the protection of their hearers.
Jeremiah
Verse 18. Double: enormous. Bible. Calmet. 17:18.—I will punish them doubly.—Carcasses. So he styles the victims, or idols, the representations of dead men.
Jeremiah
Verse 19. Them. After the captivity many were converted. Esth. 8 and 1 Ezra 6:21. Edom was forced to receive circumcision. But this was nothing in comparison with the crowds which embraced the gospel.
Jeremiah
Verse 20. Make gods. This consideration alone suffices to shew their absurdity. Calmet.—“Man must now be merciful to god!” Tert. Apol.—No one can make even a man, much less a god. Saint Jerome Worthington.
Jeremiah
Verse 21. Power, in taking vengeance on idolatry.—Lord. “He who is;” ( Calmet.) Jehova. Bible.