“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. let: Heb. let thy name be called upon us to take: or, take thou away”
Seven. Many shall sue for a husband, men shall be so scarce. To continue unmarried was reproachful, Deuteronomy vii. 14. (Calmet) — After the conversion of the Gentiles, pastors will be much wanted. (Worthington)
“In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. beautiful: Heb. beauty and glory them: Heb. the escaping”
Bud. That is, Christ, (Challoner) who was faintly prefigured by Zorobabel, Zacharias iii. 8. Our Saviour was the fruit of the earth, and sovereign Lord. (Calmet)
“And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: among: or, to life”
Life. Only the faithful shall be saved. (Worthington) — The Jews, after the captivity, shall be more obedient. But converts to the faith of Christ are styled saints, (Romans i. 7., &c.) such particularly as are predestined to glory, Romans viii. 30. (Calmet) — Those who are called to life and the true faith, may forfeit this honour, by their own fault. (Menochius)
“When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.”
Burning. By baptism of water and fire, or of the Holy Ghost. (St. Jerome)
“And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. upon all: or, above all defence: Heb. covering”
Protection. God will protect his Church, more than he did the Israelites by the pillar, Exodus xiv. 20. (St. Basil, &c.)