Commentary on Prov Ecc SoS Isa Jer Lam Eze Dan, Jeremiah · Chapter 47
CHAP. XLVII.
Ver. 1. BEfore that Pharaoh ſmote Gaza] Called alſo Gazer and Gazera, having its name not from the Perſian Gaza ſignifying wealth or treaſure, but from an Hebrew word ſignifying ſtrength. It was firſt ſmitten by Pharaoh at his return from Carchemiſh likely, after he had ſlain Joſiah, and afterwards worſted the Babylonian at Euphrates. Next by Nebuchadnezzar, this and the four other ſatrapies of the Philiſtines were overrun then when he came againſt Egypt. After that, it was beſieged and taken by Alexander the great who laid it waſte. Yet was it built again and called Conſtantia after the name of Conſtantine the great his ſiſter, being one of the chief Cities in Syria, and having received the faith.Euſeb de vit. Conſtant. l. 4.
Ver. 2. Behold waters riſe up out of the North] The Chaldaean, as a mighty torrent, ſhall overflow the whole Country and bury all as it were in one univerſal grave of waters, as once at the deluge. So Eſa. 8.7. This ſeemeth to have been done ſomewhat before Egypt was deſtroyed: when Moab, Ammon and Syria, and therein Paleſtine, drank of the ſame cup.
Ver. 3. The Fathers ſhall not look back to their children] Though never ſo dear to them (foreign the Greeks call them, and the Latines have their Filius of foreign) but ſhall be ſollicitous of their own lives only; qui de Deo ne tantillum quidem fuerant ſolliciti.
For feebleneſſe of hands] Through fear and fail of vital ſpirits: ſo as to forget natural affection alſo.
Ver. 4. Becauſe of the day that cometh to ſpoile all the Philiſtines] God will find a time of vengeance to fall upon the wicked enemies of his people, though he bear long with them. Patientia Dei quo diuturnior, eo minacior. The wicked practiſeth againſt the juſt and gnaſheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord ſhall laugh at him: for he ſeeth that his day is coming, Pſal. 37.12, 13.
And to cut of from Tyrus and Sidon] The inhabitants whereof were the Philiſtines kinſmen and confederates, but could not reſcue them or deliver themſelves from the Chaldean Conquerour.
The remnant of the Country of Caphtor] Theſe Caphtorius were neither the Cappadocians, the Cyprians, nor the Colchians, as ſundry make them; but as of the ſame lineage with the Philiſtines, Gen. 10.13, 14. ſo their complices and confederates, with whom therefore they were to fare alike.
Levit. 19.27, 28. Jer. 16.6.Ver. 5. Baldneſſe is come upon Gaza] i. e. Extreme grief, which might have been prevented, had ſhe profited by her former calamity, ver. 1. But till God come in with ſanctifying grace, Afflictions, thoſe hammers of his do but beat upon cold iron.
Adrichom.Askelon is cut off] Or, is ſilenced: which was wont to be full of ſinging, dancing and loud luring. Here was born, they ſay, Herod the inſanticide, ſirnamed therefore Aſcalonita.
With the remnant of their valley] Paleſtine lay moſt of it low, and was yet to be laid lower.
Ver. 6. O thou ſword of the Lord] So called becauſe whenceſoever it cometh, it is bathed in heaven, Iſa. 34.5. See chap. 25.29. Judg. 7.18, 20.
How long will it be ere thou be quiet? Eriſne in opere ſemper? wilt thou ever be eating fleſh and drinking blood? war, the ſhorter, the better. Of the Pirates war, as the Romans called it,Aug. de Civit. Dei. Auguſtine reporteth to the juſt commendation of Pompey, that it was by him incredibili celeritate & temporis brevitate confectum, quickly diſpatcht, and made an end of.
Ver. 7. How can it be quiet?] Heb. How ſhalt thou be quiet? Here the Prophet quieteth himſelf howſoever by an humble ſubmiſſion to his holy will, who had put the ſword in commiſſion. Gods will is the rule of right, neither can force or entreaty prevaile ought againſt it in this world: much leſſe in the world to come, where each one muſt hold him to his doom, which is irreverſible.