“The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?”
The valley of vision: Jerusalem. The temple of Jerusalem was built upon Mount Moria, or the mountain of vision. But the city is here called, the valley of vision, either because it was lower than the temple, or because of the low condition to which it was to be reduced, (Challoner) during the captivity. (Worthington) — Vision. Septuagint, “Sion.” (Haydock) — This prophecy regards the devastation caused by Sennacherib, (St. Jerome) Nabuchodonosor, (Sanctius) the Romans, (Eusebius) or by Assaradon, when he took Manasses, 2 Paralipomenon xxxiii. 11., and 4 Kings xxi. 10. — Tops, to weep.
“Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.”
Battle. He taxes the king with cowardice.
“Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. weep: Heb. be bitter in weeping”
People. He saw this in spirit, though he might not live to witness it. (Calmet)
“For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.”
Searching. That day beheld the Assyrians (Haydock) undermining the wall, and behaving with haughtiness (Calmet) on Mount Sion. (Haydock)
“And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. uncovered: Heb. made naked”
Wall. Arms were frequently hung thereon, Canticle of Canticles ix. 4. (Calmet)
“And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.”
Covering. Hebrew masac, (Haydock) “shade,” for the convenience of the people, 4 Kings xvi. 18. — Forest, built by Solomon. Ezechias has also procured store of arms, which were now delivered out to the citizens.
“Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.”
Many, but you have neglected them, (Calmet) till it be too late. (Haydock) — Pool, communicating with Gehon on the west.
“Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.”
Walls. Manasses enclosed the pool within walls, forming a second town, 4 Kings xxii. 29. — Ago. You have not imitated the piety of Ezechias.
“And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.”
Die. Thus the pagans encouraged themselves to feast. (Calmet) — Ergo vivamus dum licet esse bene. (Petronius) — This conduct betrayed an entire want of faith. (Calmet) — “Nothing offends God so much….as contempt proceeding from despair.” (St. Jerome)
“And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.”
Die. The repentance of Manasses, and the piety of Josias, could not avert the storm. Discite justitiam moniti et non temnere divos.
“Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,”
Temple, in the place of Eliacim. He had been secretary before, (Calmet) and had intruded himself into some office in the temple, which he abused. (Worthington)
“Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. will carry: or, the Lord who covered thee with an excellent covering, and clothed thee gorgeously, v.18.shall surely, etc a mighty: Heb. the captivity of a man”
Cock. St. Jerome’s master assured him that the word which is usually rendered a warrior, has this meaning. (Haydock) — The comparison agrees well with a proud man reduced to misery. (Calmet) — Hebrew, “With the captivity of a man, and he will cover thee.” Septuagint, “he will cast out and bruise the man, and will take away thy comely robe, and throw thee into,” &c. (Haydock)
“He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house. large: Heb. large of spaces”
Lord; Manasses, who hath exalted thee. (Calmet)
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:”
Eliacim, who had been displaced, ver. 15. He acted as regent after the departure of Manasses, who always followed his counsels at his return, Judith iv. 5. The priesthood was not then incompatible with civil and military functions.
“And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.”
Girdle, the badge of power, Job xii. 18.
“And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”
Shoulder. Here the marks of dignity were worn. Eliacim was appointed master of the palace, over all the other servants. (Calmet) — Thus we may gather what power Christ conferred on St. Peter, when he gave him the keys of heaven, Matthew xvi. 19., and Apocalypse iii. 7. (Haydock)
“And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.”
Peg, on which whatever is placed shall be secure, 1 Esdras ix. 8.
“And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. vessels of flagons: or, instruments of viols”
House. He shall be the ornament of the priesthood. — Music. All affairs in church and state shall be at his disposal.
“In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.”
Fall. Sobna shall lose all his employments, and ruin others. (Calmet)