The Lord has trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he has called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord has trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.
Read Chapter 1
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Mighty. Hebrew, "magnificent "princes, (Luke xxii. 25.) or warriors.
Time of vengeance. All is animated. Hebrew also, "a troop "of Chaldeans, chap. ii. 22.
Juda. God, as the first cause, punishes the Jews by war.
HE HAS CALLED AGAINST ME: the fourth topic of complaint.
Historical interpretation THE LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY ALL MY MIGHTY MEN &c: these events took place during the last captivity, under which neither prophets nor priests were left. In fact, during the Babylonian captivity they had Daniel and Ezekiel and many other comforters, but in this all the MIGHTY MEN are taken away, which SAMECH signifies, that is interpreted ‘aid’. Hence Isaiah: I shall take away from Jerusalem the valiant and the strong, the whole strength of bread, and the whole strength of water. The captain over fifty, and the skillful in eloquent speech &c. Hence we read that abodes.
Allegorical interpretation He HAS TAKEN AWAY ALL MY MIGHTY MEN &c: spiritual Jerusalem, as often as she is burdened by tribulations, as often as she is battered by persecutions, or is assailed by hordes of heretics, by rights she cries saying: THE LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY ALL MY MIGHTY MEN. Indeed, in the whole city often few MIGHTY MEN remain...
Samech- ‘aid’, namely God’s, which is utterly taken away
taken away- by the invading Romans
mighty men- kings, priests, prophets or doctors of the Church or senses
has called- he who long had scattered; by his just judgement
against me- mourning
the time- of vengeance, which does not happen from God, if not in time. He does not punish before the sin, nor crowns before the victory
my chosen men- princes or those who are distinguished through their virtues, or the excellent striving of the mind.
the wine-press- of the cross, whence: I have trodden the wine-press alone
daughter of Juda- the Synagogue or the Church, that is the daughter of the Synagogue, or a penitent soul.
Here is exposed the misery from servitude in particular. First is such servitude under Jehoiachin, King of Judah. (cf Last part, 2 Kings (4 Kings), Chapter 25, "The Exile of Judah").
Second is exposed in particular the captivity of Judah under Sedecias, (Zedekiah, recorded in last chapter, 4 Kings). And in Jeremiah Chapter 52, ("Judah Taken Captive at Babylon"). As expressed in Verse 17 ("Pe"):l: "Zion stretches out her hands but there is none to comfort her.
Regarding the first captivity under King Jehoiachin, two further ideas are exposed. First is lamented the servitude of the people, second, a taking away of consolation. As further on exposed in Verse 16 ("Ain"):l: "For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me."
To lamentations over the people's servitude, three notions are advanced. First, servitude of people concerning those eminent in dignity. As expressed: "The Lord flouted all my mighty men in the midst of me". Namely, those leaders...
