He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no more defile my holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their prostitution and by the dead bodies of their kings in their high places;
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 7. Said. The Lord spoke, (Chal. Theod.) or the angel, (Saint Jerome) in human shape. Bible.—He addresses the prophet, verse 12 to Calmet. 44:5 though what follows immediately seems to belong to the Lord, ( Calmet.) in whose name he speaks.—Name. God hath abandoned the synagogue, but will remain with his Church unto the end. Matthew 23:38 and 28:20. Yet the perfect Church, without spot, is the triumphant; (Ephesians 5:27. Worthington.) though the Catholic Church, on earth, is every holy and “the communion of saints.” Bible.—Carcasses. Idols, according to some; or rather by the kings being buried on Sion. This is nowhere else reprehended; neither is their building too near the temple, which the prophet here condemns. verse 8. Calmet.—It seems, however, that if these things had been blameable, such a number of pious and wise kings would not have acted thus, nor the prophets have neglected to admonish them of their duty. The carcasses and houses here specified may have been vestiges of idolatry; or, in future, the tombs and palaces were to be at a more respectful distance. Bible.