7. How much--that is in proportion as.
lived deliciously--luxuriously: see on
Re 18:3,
where the Greek is akin.
sorrow--Greek, "mourning," as for a dead husband.
I sit--so Vulgate. But A, B, and C prefix "that."
I . . . am no widow--for the world power is my husband
and my supporter.
shall see no sorrow--Greek, "mourning." "I am seated
(this long time) . . . I am no widow
. . . I shall see no sorrow," marks her complete
unconcerned security as to the past, present, and future
[BENGEL]. I shall never have to mourn as one
bereft of her husband. As Babylon was queen of the East, so Rome has
been queen of the West, and is called on Imperial coins "the
eternal city." So Papal Rome is called by
AMMIAN MARCELLIN [15.7].
"Babylon is a former Rome, and Rome a latter Babylon. Rome is a
daughter of Babylon, and by her, as by her mother, God has been pleased
to subdue the world under one sway" [AUGUSTINE].
As the Jew's restoration did not take place till Babylon's fall, so R.
KIMCHI on Obadiah, writes, "When Rome (Edom) shall
be devastated, there shall be redemption to Israel." Romish idolatries
have been the great stumbling-blocks to the Jews' acceptance of
Christianity.
JFB.
Picture Study Bible