And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty has departed: her princes have become like harts that find no pasture, and they have gone without strength before the pursuer.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Beauty; princes' palaces, but particularly the temple, ver. 10. (Calmet)
Rams, fleeing from place to place to seek relief. (Worthington)
AND IS DEPARTED: the fifth topic of complaint, by which all disadvantages are brought separately before the eyes, which is to be noted almost everywhere.
Historical interpretation. AND FROM THE DAUGHTER OF ZION IS DEPARTED: before this sentence is put VAU, that is interpreted ‘and’, as if those set before above are connected as a punishment by God’s just judgement. Indeed, Jerusalem besieged had lost all the ornament of her beauty without, and within that of delight; her riches taken away and the temple and the priesthood desecrated, she herself labors in hunger and pestilence. And there were none who would come to her aid, because HER PRINCES HAVE BECOME LIKE RAMS THAT FIND NO PASTURES, with virtues dissolved and trembling hearts they are not considering defending themselves but fleeing.
Allegorical interpretation. AND FROM THE DAUGHTER OF ZION IS DEPARTED: namely the Church, of which it is said in the Canticles: Behold thou are fair, O my love. Beauty departs from her, when her...
Vau- ‘and’
daughter of Sion- the Church or the soul, who are daughters of the heavenly Jerusalem.
her beauty- the priesthood, the ornament of the temple, purity of faith; of virtues.
her princes- herdsmen, masters, who ought to defend their subjects with both horns of the two testaments and repel the rebels.
that find no pastures- of the Scriptures.
have gone away- tied.
without strength- of virtues.
face of the pursuer- before the temptation of the devil.
Here is loudly lamented the captivity of major persons. Around this idea three notations are made. First is set forth an omission of ornamentations. As stated: "From the daughter of Zion has departed all her majesty." For instance, like vases taken away, and treasures from both leaders and priests around Jehoiachin, nephew of Josiah. (cf: II Kings Chapter 24 ("Nebuchadnezzar Conquers Judah"). So, the prophet Ezekiel declares: "They shall also strip you of your clothes and take away your fine jewels." (Ez 23:26).
Secondly, is the necessity for supplies. As said: "Her princes have become like harts that find no pasture". That is, neither for themselves, or for their people. For, even bread is lacking within the city, when besieged at the time of Zedekiah. (cf. Jeremiah, Chapter 31 ("The Lord is Our Righteousness"). And the prophet Isaiah records: "And the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude go down, her throng and he who exults her." (Is 5:l4).
Thirdly, the captivity of leaders...
