He has left his covert, as the lion; for their land has become an astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppression, and because of his fierce anger.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 38. The dove. This is commonly understood of Nabuchodonosor, whose military standard, they say, was a dove. But the Hebrew word Jonah, which is here rendered a dove, may also signify a waster or oppressor, which name better agrees to that unmerciful prince; or by comparison, as a dove’s flight is the swiftest, so would their destruction come upon them. Challoner.—Septuagint “waste or impassible before the great sword. Calmet. 4:7. Bible.—While God, like a lion, protected his people, none durst invade them. Menochius.—What is said respecting the Babylonian standards is very dubious, (Grot. Calmet.) as the same expression is applied to the Persians, (Calmet. 50:16. Menochius.) though it may there also be understood of the Chaldees. Bible.—God is like a dove, yet terrible. Worthington.