I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and my elders died in the city, while they sought their food to relieve their souls.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Me. Egypt attempted to relieve Juda, to no purpose, ver. 2. (Calmet)
It could not, or at least did not, prove of any service to the Jews, chap. ii. 18. (Worthington)
I CALLED FOR MY FRIENDS: the eleventh topic of indignation; the act is committed by them, namely, who had been expected to prevent it if done by another.
BUT THEY DECEIVED ME: the fourth topic of complaint.
Historical interpretation I CALLED FOR MY FRIENDS: COPH is interpreted ‘a calling’, whence he immediately has added: I CALLED FOR MY FRIENDS, the Egyptians, on whose friendship and aid the Jews had been relying, but they DECEIVED ME, as they did not offer any help in the time of the first or the last captivity. Hence Isaiah: The land of Judah shall be a terror to Egypt in the day of their calamity. They were justly deceived, who trusted more in the Egyptians than in God. MY PRIESTS &c: there can be no doubt that this happened under the Romans.
Allegorical interpretation I CALLED FOR MY FRIENDS: the Church often calls for her friends, whom she regards as fellows in faith, but they deceive, who have corrupted the faith, either by hiding it within, or by bursting forth into op...
Coph- calling’
my friends- Egyptians or heretics or desires of the flesh.
deceived me- The Egyptian helps in vain.
my priests- a kingly priesthood.
my ancients- maturity of counsel.
in the city- Jerusalem or the Church or the mind.
their food- earthly profit or vain desires.
their souls- animality
Here is the consumption of health of those ones killed by the famine during the siege. So, first is indicated deception from friends: "I called to my lovers but they deceived me". That is, just like the Egyptians, since they did not help me, as I (Jerusalem) hoped for. As, Isaiah, the prophet declares: "For Egypt's help is worthless and empty, therefore I have called her 'Rahab who sits still'" (Is:30:7).
Secondly, the consumption from the fact of the situation is considered. As expressed: "my priests and elders," Namely, as regarding the consumption they are considered as an indignity. Also: "perished in the city." As the prophet Isaiah 5:13 states: "Their honored men are dying of hunger, and their multitude is parched with thirst."
Thirdly, a reason for this consumption of health is assigned. As Verse 19 concludes: "while they sought food." That is: " to revive their strength". Namely, to revive themselves, while they cannot find any food.
Again, a reason for their need is a...
