“Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.”
Of priests. What is said of priests in this prophecy is chiefly understood of the priests of the kingdom of Israel; who were not true priests of the race of Aaron, but served the calves at Bethel and Dan. (Challoner) — They had the name of priests, and pretended to act as such, 3 Kings xii. (Worthington) — There were some apostates among them, chap. iv. 6. But they lost all authority. — To them. Literally, “to the watch:” speculationi. Hebew, “at Maspha,” (Haydock) in Galaad, where a profane altar was erected, chap. vi. 8. (Calmet)
“And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. though: or, and a rebuker: Heb. a correction”
Depth, or pits of fire, where victims were sometimes thrown. (Iphigen.) (Grotius) — By substituting th for t, we might read, “they have dug pits to take them,” chap. ix. 9., and Josue xxiii 13. (Calmet) — Idolatry leads to the abyss. (Haydock)
“They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. They will: or, Their doings will not suffer them frame: Heb. give”
Known. Fornication had darkened their intellect. (Calmet)
“And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.”
Answer. Septuagint, “be humbled.” It appears openly, so as to deserve condemnation. (Haydock)
“They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.”
Them. He will receive their victims no longer, Isaias i. 11. (Calmet) — In vain do they expect to escape by this appearance of sanctity, while they continue in sin. (Haydock)
“They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.”
Strangers. That is, aliens form God: and therefore they are threatened with speedy destruction. (Challoner) — Their offspring is rebellious, and deserves no longer to be called my people, chap. i. 9. — Month. Every month the Assyrians shall come upon them; (Chaldean; St. Jerome) or, in the space of one month, they shall perish. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “the mildew shall eat them and their portions.” (Haydock)
“Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.”
Back. Bethel lay northwest of Benjamin. The two tribes would hear the distress of Israel, that they might beware and avoid the like misconduct. (Calmet) — The captivity is here described. (Worthington)
“Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.”
That. Literally, “faith,” (Haydock) that my word shall come to pass.
“The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.”
Bound. This was a capital crime, under Numa, and forbidden, Deuteronomy xix. 14. (Calmet) — Juda hoped to seize what was abandoned. (St. Jerome) — They deferred doing penance, and removed the boundaries set by their fathers, (Theodoret; Calmet) the virtuous patriarchs, whom they would not imitate.
“Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.”
Oppression. Literally, “calumny.” (Haydock) (Isaias lii. 4.) — The Assyrians had no just reason for attacking Israel, though their crimes called for punishment (Calmet) from God. (Haydock)
“When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb : yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. king Jareb: or, the king of Jareb: or, the king that should plead”
Avenging. Hebrew and Septuagint Jareb, (St. Jerome) which some explain of the king of Egypt; others understand the Assyrian; (chap. x. 6.) while most suppose that Ephraim applied to Phul, and Juda sent to a protecting king, Theglathphalassar, 4 Kings xvi. 7., and xvii. 4. (Calmet)
“For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.”
Lioness. Hebrew and Septuagint, “panther.” (Haydock) — The Assyrians, instead of assisting, proved the ruin of both kingdoms.
“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. acknowledge: Heb. be guilty”
Place; to heaven. I will abandon my temple. (Calmet) — Face: “they will seek the absent.” (St. Jerome)