“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was worn; yet he had no wages, nor did his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 18. Peeled, with carrying machines of war and burdens for thirteen years.—No reward worth the labour. The new city surrendered upon terms, ( Calmet.) or the citizens shipped off their most valuable goods, and retired to Carthage, and so forth God gives a temporal reward for moral virtues, (Saint Jerome) even to infidels. Worthington.—Thus he rewarded the ancient Romans, and the midwives. Saint Augustine de Civ. Dei. verse 12. and Saint Thomas Aquinas i. 2. q. 114. a. 10.—They had no intention of pleasing God, ( Calmet.) or of directing their labours for his service. Bible.