HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

BARUCH 4

CHAPTER IV.

Ver. 1. Ever. True wisdom may be found in the law. It constitutes the happiness of Israel. Deut. iv. 7. Christ perfected and fulfilled it. Mat. v. 7. --- Life. Moses promised temporal blessings; (C. iii. 14. Deut. xxx. 15.) yet the faithful would be rewarded eternally. C. --- Wisdom is the law of God. C. iii. 12. W.

Ver. 3. Nation. Be faithful, lest another take thy place. This Christians have done. Deut. xxxii. 21. C.

Ver. 5. Memorial. Gr. lit. "O memorable Israel." H. --- Ye are left to support and restore the nation. This part of the letter is for their comfort.

Ver. 6. Sold, like slaves, or people taken in war. C.

Ver. 8. God. Lit. "Him." Gr. "the Eternal." H. --- This is taken from Deut. xxxii. 15. C. --- Nursed you. The city is beautifully personified as a widow. v. 12. H.

Ver. 9. Near. Hebrew would be "daughters of Sion." v. 14.

Ver. 15. Tongue. So the Chaldees are described, Deut. xxviii. 49. Is. xxxiii. 19. C.

Ver. 16. Children. Gr. "daughters." H. --- Many of both sexes were taken with Jechonias. C. --- Jerusalem comforts her children, and assures them of God's mercy. W.

Ver. 20. Peace: the ornaments worn in my prosperity. --- Sackcloth, or a rough garment, used by penitents and in times of public distress.

Ver. 25. Neck. Mardochai, Daniel, &c. were governors. Is. xl. 14. These predictions were more fully verified when the Gentiles embraced the gospel. C.

Ver. 28. When. Gr. "now ten times as much, being converted, seek him." H. --- The Jews became much more docile and attached to the law.

Ver. 30. Named thee as his servant, spouse, (C.) and intimate friend.

Ver. 31. The. Gr. Deilaioi. "wretched those who have injured thee, and rejoiced in thy fall! Wretched the cities," &c. H.

Ver. 32. She; Babylon. Ch. --- Gr. "Wretched she," &c. H. --- Babylon shall fall a prey to Cyrus.

Ver. 35. Fire of war. --- Devils. Whether they really dwell in ruins, or the people were of that opinion, (as the common sort are still) is not clear. Jer. l. 39. Is. xxxiv. 14.

Ver. 37. East and west. From Babylon and from the islands. Is. xi. 11. Zac. viii. 7.