2. EICHORN thinks the reference here to be to some celestial portent
which had appeared at that time, causing the Jews' dismay. Probably the
reference is general, namely, to the Chaldeans, famed as astrologers,
through contact with whom the Jews were likely to fall into the same
superstition.
way--the precepts or ordinances
(Le 18:3;
Ac 9:2).
signs of heaven--The Gentiles did not acknowledge a Great First
Cause: many thought events depended on the power of the stars, which
some, as PLATO, thought to be endued with spirit
and reason. All heavenly phenomena, eclipses, comets, &c., are
included.
one cutteth a tree, &c.--rather, "It (that which they busy
themselves about: a sample of their 'customs') is a tree cut out of the
forest" [MAURER].
JFB.
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