The seeds rot under their clods. The granaries are laid desolate. The barns are broken down, for the grain has withered.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 17. Dung. Horse-dung dried for bedding, was used in the East instead of straw, (Busb. 3.) as it is still by the Arabs. Darvieux. 11.—Hebrew “the seeds are rotten under their clods,” ( Bible.) finding no moisture. Septuagint “the cows have stamped in their stalls;” or Syr. “remain without food in their cribs.” Chal. “the pitchers of wine have been corrupted under their covers,” as there was no new wine. Calmet.—Houses. Hebrew mammeguroth. Prot. “barns, ( Bible.) or country houses;” which means cabins erected for the season, (Ruth 2:7) the Magaria ( Calmet.) or Mopalia of the Africans. Saint Jerome pref. Amos.—Septuagint “the wine presses.” Wine and corn were preserved in pits carefully covered over. Agg. 2:20. These fell to decay, as there was no use for them.