Judah has gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest: all her persecutors overtook her in her distress.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Rest. Many returning to join Godolias, chap. xl. 7. (Calmet)
The Jews who beheld their brethren led away to Babylon, retired into Egypt, but were in misery. (Worthington)
JUDAH HAS REMOVED: the tenth topic of complaint, by which helplessness, weakness and loneliness are revealed.
Historical interpretation. JUDAH HAS MIGRATED &c: that is to say, due to their manifold sins they have been led into captivity not only to Babylon but thence, on account of the sufferings of serfdom, as runaway slaves they have migrated to other peoples, but not even there have they found rest. From which follows: ALL HER PERSECUTORS HAVE TAKEN HER &c, namely those who pursued the fugitives and previously more cruelly had shattered the distressed. In fact, those who had fled the light yoke of the Lord, are justly being overwhelmed by heavy sufferings, and those who despised the liberty promised in Christ, deservedly labored in the sufferings of serfdom. JUDAH HAS MIGRATED from one kind of enemy to another, fleeing the unmercifulness of her lords. As Cain the fratricide wandering about and banished, so the Jews dwell amongst the gentiles finding no rest, carrying about the di...
Ghimel- ‘fullness’; for due to the fullness of their sins, Judah has departed into captivity, through the accumulation of which she has provoked the vengeance of God. For otherwise God would not have delivered his cherished and glorious people to the disgrace of captivity, he who says that he cannot yet deliver the Amorites, as yet the iniquities of the Amorites are not at the full.
because of her affliction- because she refused to carry the sweet yoke and light burden of the Lord.
among the Gentiles- foreign; gentiles or demons or vices.
found no- thus
rest- with vices or demons threatening.
all her persecutors- the lords, from whom they fled, have cruelly captured them; pursuing as a fugitive; Chaldeans, Romans.
have taken her- distressed due to flight and affliction.
midst of straits- of sins, of afflictions.
Here in Verse 3 the misery throughout the captivity's periods is exposed, as to its magnitude. Such is twofold: first, the servitude itself is lamented regarding suppression of human kind, second as to its possessions. As expressed further on in Verse 7 ("Zain"): "When her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was none to help her, the foe gloated over her, mocking at her downfall."
The first part, (servitude itself) is divided twofold. First, misery from oppression is loudly bewailed. Secondly, the reason for this misery is shown. As Verse 8 "Heth", declares: "Jerusalem sinned grievously, therefore she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; yea, she herself groans, and turns her face away."
As to misery from oppression there are two more notions: First this misery is bewailed as to a present affliction sustained, second, as to an affliction recalled. As Verse 7 "'Zain" states: "Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction...
