Bible Commentaries

Nehemiah 7:33 — Other Nebo. We find no first mentioned; but in the ancient Latin edition, Nebo occurred instead of Geba, ver. 30. See 1 Esdras ii. 29. Septuagint and Arabic omit, "the other." This Nebo may be Nob, or Nobe, in the tribe of Benjamin. (Calmet)

Esther 4:2 — Sackcloth. Greek adds, "and ashes." Such an appearance was deemed disrespectful. God forbids his priests to act thus, Leviticus xxi.. 1. See Genesis xli. 14. Yet the miserable ought not to be entirely excluded from the king’s presence, as he ought to be their protector.

Job 3:11 — In the. Hebrew, "from the womb," (Haydock) or as soon as I was born. (Calmet) --- He seems to have lost sight of original sin, (ver. 1.) or there might be some method of having it remitted to children unborn, which we do not know. (Haydock)

Psalms 110:7 — PSALM CX. (CONFITEBOR TIBI DOMINE.) God is to be praised for his graces, and benefits to his Church. Gentiles. Under Josue, or rather in the days of the gospel. (Berthier) (1 Peter i. 3.) --- Judgment. He will perform his promises, and chastise the guilty. (Calmet)

Psalms 23:3 — Place. The punishment of the Bethsamites, and of Oza, had filled all with alarm, so that David durst not introduce the ark into his palace, 1 Kings vi. 19. (Calmet) --- Though Christ created and redeemed all, yet only the just shall inherit felicity. (Worthington)

Psalms 31:11 — Glory, which is lawful when God is the object, 1 Corinthians i. 31. My glory I will not give to another, Isaias xlii. 8. (Calmet) --- Hebrew, "praise him." (St. Jerome) (Haydock) --- Joy is the end of true penance, to which the prophet invites all. (Worthington)

Psalms 44:12 — Lord. Hebrew adonaiic, "thy master," and worship him, (Haydock) like a dutiful wife, 1 Peter iii. 6., and 3 Kings i. 16. --- God is not found in the Septuagint. The title belongs to Jesus Christ, the spouse, who has been twice called God before. (Calmet)

Isaiah 25:8 — Ever. Hebrew, "he shall swallow up death in victory," 1 Corinthians xv. 54. Christ, by dying, conquered death, and rescued us from its power, if we do not voluntarily subject ourselves to it again. This was faintly represented by the liberation of the captives.

Jeremiah 16:6 — Cut. Moses prohibited this being done in honour of Adonis, Leviticus xix. 27., Deuteronomy xiv. 1., and Ezechiel xxvii. 31. "The custom of cutting the arms and hair still subsists in Judea," says St. Jerome; and in other countries. (Plut.[Plutarch?] Herodotus iv. 71.)

Jeremiah 29:5 — Build. Establish yourselves, as you must remain a long time in captivity. We are exhorted not to be attached to the things of the world, to remind us that we shall not live long, chap. xvi. 2., and xxxv. 7., and 1 Corinthians vii. 29.

Jeremiah 45:5 — Great: the spirit of prophecy; (Rabbins) or rather to be exempted from suffering, while all the neighbouring nations were perishing. (Calmet) --- And save. Literally, "for salvation." Hebrew, "booty." (Haydock) --- He seems to have been set at liberty with his master, chap. xl. 1. (Calmet)

Amos 7:12 — Seer. This was the ancient title of prophets; (1 Kings ix. 9.; Calmet) but it is here used contumeliously. (Haydock) --- We know not whether Amasias acted by the king’s order or not. He was less afraid of the predictions than of losing his employment. (Calmet)

Haggai 1:8 — The mountain Libanus. Wood had been purchased before, but had been used for other purposes, 1 Esdras iii. 7. Now the people went to procure more. The following year Darius confirmed the decree of Cyrus, which was a change plainly effected by Providence. (Calmet)

Haggai 2:4 — Glory. The temple had been destroyed sixty-nine years before, so that many might have seen it. When the second temple was dedicated, (Calmet) or founded, (Haydock) two years after the captivity, cries of grief and of joy were heard, 1 Esdras iii. 12.

Malachi 1:4 — Down, by the Machabees, who forced the people to receive circumcision, 1 Machabees v. 3. (Calmet) --- At that time the Jews were more pious, and glorified God. (Haydock) --- Ever. God’s gratuitous love appears in his leaving Edom in captivity, and restoring the Jews. (Worthington)

Mark 6:5 — And he could not[1] do any miracle there.] =============================== [BIBLIOGRAPHY] in Scripture, is divers times the same as nolle. So Genesis xxxvii, it is said of Joseph’s brothers, they could not, (non poterant) i.e. would not, speak to him peaceably. See John xii. 39, &c.

Ephesians 4:11 — Some indeed he gave to be apostles, &c. It is said (1 Corinthians xii. 28.) that God (even with the Greek article) gave some to be apostles, &c. and here it is said of Christ: another proof that Christ is the true God. (Witham)

Wisdom of Solomon 20:11 — Glory. Galba "would have been universally deemed worthy of the empire, if he had not reigned." (Tacitus, Hist. 1.) --- Adrian VI thought the pontificate the greatest misfortune to which he had been exposed; and this observation ws engraven on his tomb. --- Estate. By merit.

Sirach 5:6 — Children. Greek, "the throne." The return of the captives was a triumph, Isaias xlvi. 20., and xlix. 22. They had abundance of horses, &c., 1 Esdras ii. 66. Darius gave them a convoy of 1000 horsemen. (3 Esdras v. 2.) (Josephus, Antiquities xi. 4.)

Baruch 1:16 — Made. St. Jerome thinks the attempt useless. But the Jews discovered the art. (St. Epiphanius) (Pond. xvi.; Bartol.) (1 Corinthians vii. 18.) --- Sold to the devil, becoming his instruments, 3 Kings xxi. 25., and Romans vii. 14. (Calmet) --- Go to 2 Machabees iv. 7.