and say, “The Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the women who sew magic bands on all elbows and make veils for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people and save souls alive for yourselves?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 18. Cushions, by making people easy in their sins, and promising them impunity, ( Challoner.) by disguising the truth, or not admonishing people of their danger. Calmet. 3:17. He alludes to the cushions used on sofas.—Pillows. Sym. “veils;” (Septuagint and Kimchi) or “nets” designed “to take” the unwary; as mispachot maybe properly rendered. verse 20, 21. Isaiah 5:7. Calmet.—Souls. That is, they flattered them with promises of life, peace, and security. Challoner. Worthington.—People are often said to do what they only announce. Leviticus 13:11. These impostors pretended to save, while they really destroyed. They shewed a cruel mercy, detaining the people in captivity, or rather Hebrew “shall you catch?” and so forth Do you expect to pass unpunished? Calmet.—We might read the Vulg. “Did they give?” and so forth Prot. “Will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?” Bible.