HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

EZECHIEL 9

CHAPTER IX.

Ver. 2. Upper, leading to the court of the priests. These were six angels, representing the army coming from Babylon. The seventh was an angel of peace. C. --- God never abandoned his whole Church. W.

Ver. 3. House; to the holy place, shewing that he abondoned those in the temple. C.

Ver. 4. Mark Thau. Thau, or Tau, is the last letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and signifies a sign or a mark: which is the reason why some translators render this place set a mark, or mark a mark, without specifying what this mark was. But S. Jerom, and other interpreters, conclude it was the form of the letter thau, which, in the ancient Hebrew character, was the form of a cross. Ch. --- Of this many inscriptions still extant bear witness. Montfaucon. --- Some Rabbins allow that the last letter was used but in honour of "the law," Thorah. The cross is supposed to be the hieroglyphic of a future life, (Hist. Rufini. ii. 29.) and found frequently in the pictures or (H.) in the tables of Isis. But it rather represents a key. Soldiers who were acquitted received the letter T, and those who were sentenced to die had Q, (C.) alluding to QanatoV, "death." H. --- We may, however, suppose that if God designated any letter, it would be some letter of the Heb. alphabet, and accordingly the last had formerly the figure of â€ . x. though this text may signify "a sign" in general. The virtuous would be discriminated from the guilty, as if they were marked. C. --- The door-posts of the Hebrews were stained with blood, in Egypt, to shew that all should be redeemed by that of Christ; and here those who shall be saved, received the mark of his cross. This sign has always been held in veneration among Christians, (W.) and used in conferring baptism, consecrating the blessed Eucharist, &c. S. Chrys. hom. lv. in Mat. and lxxxiv. in Jo. S. Aug. tr. cxviii. in Jo. Ser. ci. de temp. &c. --- It appeared to Constantine with this inscription, "In this conquer;" (Eus. vit. i. 22.) and again over Jerusalem; (S. Cyr. ep. ad Constantium.) and will be borne before Christ, at his last coming, (Mat. xxiv.) to the joy of those who have performed their baptismal promises, and to the confusion (W.) of the enemies of the cross of Christ. H.

Ver. 6. Sanctuary. Aquila, "temple," or people (C.) consecrated to my service, (Sept. T.) particularly (C.) the twenty-five idolaters, the ancients and women. C. C. viii. 16. --- Judgment beginneth at the house of God, (1 Pet. iv. 17.) and those (H.) who abuse holy things are justly cut off. W.

Ver. 7. Defile. Sept. "you have defiled." I regard the place no longer. C.

Ver. 9. Perverseness, in "wresting of judgment." Prot. marg. What else can be expected, when the judges deny Providence? H.