I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
5. "Very excellent things are said of thee, thou city of God" (ver. 3). He was, as it were, contemplating that city of Jerusalem on earth: for consider what city he alludes to, of which certain very excellent things are spoken. Now the earthly city has been destroyed: after suffering the enemy's rage, it fell to the earth; it is no longer what it was: it exhibited the emblem, and the shadow hath passed away. Whence then are "very excellent things spoken of thee, thou city of God"? Listen whence: "I will think upon Rahab and Babylon, with them that know Me" (ver. 4). In that city, the Prophet, in the person of God, says, "I will think upon Rahab and Babylon." Rahab belongs not to the Jewish people; Babylon belongs not to the Jewish people; as is clear from the next verse: "For the Philistines also, and Tyre, with the Ethiopians, were there." Deservedly then, "very excellent things are spoken of thee, thou city of God:" for not only is the Jewish nation, born of the flesh of Abraham, inc...
Rahab. Egypt To this Sion, which is the Church of God, many shall resort from all nations. (Challoner)
Christ gives his apostles command to preach to all, Matthew xxviii., and Luke xxiv. 27. (Worthington)
Some have supposed that Rahab, who received the spies, is here put, to signify the Chanaanites. But her name is written Reb; and the word before us is Rahab, (Haydock) signifying "pride "(Menochius) or Egypt; particularly the Delta, which is still called Rib. (Calmet)
Me. I will receive into my Church not only the Jews, but also the most abandoned nations. (Haydock)
Foreigners. Philistines, Psalm lxxxii. 8. (Menochius)
Were. Hebrew, "this man was born there. "(Haydock)
In Christ there is no distinction of nations, Romans x. 12. The Jews will never show us the completion of this prophecy any where but in the Church. (Calmet)
It is spoken of as past, to denote the certainty of the event. (Worthington) Ver. 5. Shall not Sion say The meaning is, that Sion, viz., the Church, shall n...
