Verse 1

Earth. After the ten preceding threats, the prophet denounces destruction to the whole world, (Worthington) at the day of judgment; though he may also allude to the desolation of the promised land, as our Saviour joins both in the same prediction, Matthew xxiv. (Calmet)

Verse 2

Priest. All distinctions shall be disregarded. (Worthington) --- When Jerusalem was taken, all became captives.

Verse 4

Weakened: Joakim, &c., are made prisoners. The greatest monarchs must come before God's tribunal.

Verse 6

Sin. Towards the end of the world iniquity will abound, and men shall rage against each other, Matthew xxiv. (Worthington) --- They will also feel the effects of sin. --- Mad: abandoned to their passions, (Deuteronomy xxviii. 28.) excepting only the elect. (Menochius) --- Few. The Chaldeans permitted only a few of the poorest sort to remain, 2 Paralipomenon xxix. 10.

Verse 9

The drink. Hebrew shecar, "palm wine."

Verse 10

Vanity. Jerusalem, (Calmet) or any other city, will be all in confusion. (Haydock) --- In, as was the case in times of mourning, Jeremias ix. 21. (Calmet)

Verse 14

Sea. The few elect (ver. 13.) being rescued from the misery of the world, shall praise God. (Haydock) --- They are exhorted to lift up their heads, Luke xxi. 28. (Menochius)

Verse 15

Instruction. The Church is like an island, compared with the rest of the world; or it preaches the gospel to all nations, and to the islands, like Great Britain. (Worthington) --- Apostolic men are required to preach incessantly to all sorts of people. Hebrew, "in light;" or Pagnin, "in vales." (Menochius)

Verse 16

I said. The prophet, or any other, may speak thus in the latter days. (Calmet) --- Myself. I cannot recount what horrid pains I beheld. (St. Jerome) (Menochius) (2 Corinthians xii. 4.)

Verse 17

Snare. He alludes to the methods of taking wild beasts, Job xviii. 11. --- Opened, as they were in the days of Noe[Noah]. (Calmet) --- All sorts of misery hang over us.

Verse 18

CHAPTER XXIV.

Verse 20

Night, unexpectedly, (Haydock) and with the utmost speed. (Calmet)

Verse 21

High. The stars, which in many places of the Scripture are so called. Some commentators explain that these words here signify the demons of the air. (Challoner) --- The apostate angels will be judged, 1 Corinthians vi. 6., and Matthew xxiv. 29.

Verse 22

Visited. Hence Origen (Prin. iii. 6., &c.) took occasion to assert, that the damned would one day be released, though the Scripture so often declares the contrary. The prophet speaks of the future liberation of the Jews; (Calmet) or he intimates that after many days, yea throughout eternity, the reprobate will still be punished. (Menochius)

Verse 23

Blush: he[be] turned into blood, Joel ii. 10. Dreadful calamities shall ensue, to usher in the great day of judgment. (Calmet)