All her idols will be beaten to pieces, all her temple gifts will be burned with fire, and I will destroy all her images; for of the hire of a prostitute has she gathered them, and to the hire of a prostitute shall they return.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 7. Her wages. That is, her donaries or presents offered to her idols; or the hire of all her traffic and labour. Challoner.—Samaria had trafficked with infidels, and thus grew rich, but imitated their idolatry; ( Worthington.) and therefore was ruined, and her citizens and riches Bible. removed into Assyria. Worthington.—Harlot. They were gathered together by one idolatrous city, that is Samaria: and they shall be carried away to another idolatrous city, that is Ninive. Challoner.—The hire of prostitution was not to be received in God’s temple, (Deuteronomy 23:18) which prohibition shews the antiquity of this abominable custom. Baruch 6:9. Saint Augustine de Civ. Dei. iv. 10. Calmet.