Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Figs, which are the worst. Saint Jerome Saint Ambrose in Lu. vii. 3. Yet they were eagerly sought after, before the other figs came to maturity. They had escaped the rigours of winter. Such Christ ( Calmet.) seemed to expect. Mark 11:13.
Verse 2. Holy man. Hebrew chasid, ( Bible.) “the pious” Assidean. 2 Maccabees 14:6. The disorder of Israel was great, though some were religious. Calmet.—Such expressions only mean that few could be found, and that the far greatest number rejected the prophet’s advice. Worthington.
Verse 3. Giving. Septuagint “speaks words of peace.” He flatters the prince, ( Bible.) and dares not oppose the unjust. Syr. “he says, bring presents.”—Troubled it; or, “have thy?” and so forth Hebrew “they confirm it.”
Verse 4. Brier. Hebrew chedek, or “thorn.” Septuagint “a consuming moth.”—Inspection, or of thy chiefs ( Bible.) and prophets. Calmet.
Verse 5. Bosom. In times of general distress, even domestics are not trusted; because all are solicitous for themselves, even to the prejudice of others. Worthington.—Before the ruin of Israel civil wars raged. 4 Kennicott. 15. Our Saviour alludes to this passage. Matthew 10:35. Lu. 12:52 and 21:16. People will rise up to oppress true believers; and these must abandon their nearest relations, when they prove an obstacle to salvation. Thus is the moral, and the other the literal sense. Calmet.
Verse 10. She; Babylon, my enemy. Challoner.—It was taken by the Medes and Persians, who set the Jews at liberty, to the great mortification of their enemies. Worthington.—God thus displayed his justice or mercy, rescuing his people from the nigh of misery.—Streets. Cyrus treated the fallen city with contempt. It stood for some time afterwards. Calmet.
Verse 11. Law of thy enemies, who have tyrannized over thee. Challoner.—The walls of Jerusalem are ordered to be rebuilt. Agg. i.
Verse 12. Fortified. Hebrew also, “Egypt, and from Egypt to the river Euphrates,” and so forth The Jews shall occupy their ancient limits. Amos 8:12. Calmet.—The fenced cities may be Pelusium, Gaza, Tyre, and so forth From all parts the captives shall return. Bible.—They were very numerous under the Machabees, and in the time of Christ. Calmet.
Verse 13. Land of Babylon, ( Challoner.) or “the land of Judea ( Bible.) has been,” and so forth It might also be again made desolate, because the captives built houses for themselves, and neglected the temple. Agg. 1:10.
Verse 14. Alone: destitute of all things, or in full security. Jeremiah 15:17. Numbers 23:9. God will feed his people ( Calmet.) in the most fertile places, designated by Carmel and Basan. Bible.—A pastor must maintain sound doctrine and discipline. Worthington.
Verse 15. Wonders. The prophets speaking of the return, have Christ and his religion in view; so that they seem not to find terms sufficiently magnificent. Isaiah 9:15 and 43:16. Zechariah 10:11. We know from Esdras that nothing so surprising attended the liberation of the people. Calmet.
Verse 16. Strength, because they cannot overcome the Hebrews or Christians. Menochius.—Deaf, being astonished. Job 21:5.
Verse 17. Serpents, (Genesis 3:14) out of respect or rage. Calmet.—Converts shall humbly apply to the ministers of Christ to receive baptism and confirmation. Theod. Sanct. lxvii.
Verse 18. No more, for past offences. Yet, if they transgress again, they must not expect impunity. The Jews still bleed for the murder of the Messias. Calmet.
Verse 19. Away. Prot. “subdue,” ( Bible.) or trample upon. Calmet.
Verse 20. Truth, performing what he had promised out of mercy to Abraham. Worthington.
NAHUM
THE PROPHECY OF NAHUM