Seven generations; that is, seventy years. (Challoner) — A generation sometimes consisted of seven, ten, fifteen, thirty, thirty-five, fifty, or a hundred years. (Cornelius a Lapide; Menage.) — Eighteen years of the seventy had already elapsed. (Calmet) — Seven is often put for many, (Haydock) or a general number, (Worthington) because so many days form a week. (Haydock) — Grotius substitutes dekadon for geneon, “seven decads,” very properly. (Houbigant)
Shoulders. This custom was very ancient, suggested by the avarice of the priests, who begged on such occasions. (Menander, ap. Clem. protrep.)
Fear. Worship not such things. (Haydock)
Angel Michael, the conductor of Israel in the desert, &c., Daniel x. 13., and Exodus xxxiii. 2. (Calmet) — He protected them also in Babylon. (Worthington)
Gay. Nothing could be more despicable. (Calmet)
The harlots. Their hire was rejected by the Lord. But idols suffered themselves to be despoiled or adorned at pleasure. Greek, “But they will give of them even to harlots under the same roof, while they adorn them (idols) like men with garments, gods of gold, silver, and wood.” (Haydock)
Them, on account of the many votaries, ver. 16. Arnobius (6) ridicules such gods. (Calmet) — Protestants adopt similar arguments against the real presence as if we believed that Christ was hurt when the sacramental species were broken or devoured by vermin. A little more boldness will prompt them to reject the divinity of Christ, who was pleased to give up his body to those who treated him shamefully. Almost every argument which is levelled against Christ’s real presence in the blessed Eucharist, may be turned against the incarnation; and hence so many now become Socinians, being unwilling to submit their understanding to the mysteries of religion. To apply these texts to holy pictures, would be nugatory. See Isaias xl 18. (Haydock) — The absurdities here specified, shew how foolish are those who serve idols or take any images to be gods. (Worthington) — Calvin represents the pagans as adoring God under the images, as if they used them in the same light as Catholics do; which is contrary to this epistle, &c. (Tirinus)
Judge, or ruler. (Calmet) — The sceptre and spear were badges of power. (Eustath.) — Mars had a sword, Hercules a club. We know little of the idols of Babylon.