Thus says the LORD;
As the shepherd takes out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and on the edge of a couch.
Read Chapter 3
Basil the Great
AD 379
If, then, any hope of salvation is still left to you, if any slight remembrance of God, if any desire for future rewards, if any fear of the punishments reserved for the unrepentant come back quickly to sobriety; raise your eyes to the heavens; return to your senses; cease your wickedness; shake off the drunkenness that has drenched you; stand up against him who has overthrown you. Have the strength to rise up from the earth. Remember the good Shepherd, how he will pursue and deliver you. And if there are but “two legs, or the tip of an ear,” leap back from him who has wounded you. Remember the compassion of God, how he heals with olive oil and wine. Do not despair of salvation. Recall the memory of what has been written, how he that falls rises again, and he that is turned away turns again, he that has been smitten is healed, he that is caught by wild beasts escapes, and he that confesses is not rejected. The Lord does not wish the death of the sinner, but that he return and live. Do ...
Ear: things of small value. Thus few even of the poor will escape the Assyrians. (Menochius)
Damascus. Some render "couch side. "But there is no proof of this being accurate. Jeroboam II subdued Damascus, and reigned in prosperity. Who would then have thought that Israel should so soon be removed into Media? (Calmet)
Septuagint, "over-against the tribe of Juda, and in Damascus, priests hear "They probably left hares, (Haydock) "couches "(Aquila) untranslated, and some person has substituted "priests. "(St. Jerome)
Only the miserable (Menochius) or fugitives escape the enemy. (Haydock)
