Jonah 2

Chap. II. Ver. 1—13. A severe reproof of the oppression and cruelty of the great, and a lamentation over the national calamities.—The Prophet begins with denouncing a bitter wo against those who laid on their beds to devise mischief, and

Notes on the verses

Chap. II. Ver. 4. Turning away he hath divided our fields.—“Instead of restoring, he hath divided our fields.” Ver. on Nene that shall cast a cord, &c.—That is, you shall have no lot, or portion, in the land, but be wholly exiled. Ver. 6. Prophesy ye not, &c.—Dr. Boothroyd seems to have given the clearest version of this passage: “Prophesy not, (say they,) O ye that prophesy: should they not prophesy to such as thee, yet will their disgrace not be removed.” He adds, “I consider that the unbelieving thus speak to God’s prophets, (‘Prophesy not,’ &c.) to whom Micah replies, ‘Should they not,’ this will not remove the reproach, or disgrace, attached to God’s prophets. Ver. 7. Is the spirit of the Lord straitened?—That is, Is there any want of the prophetic spirit?—My words do good, &c.—Compare (2 Corinthians 2:16). Ver. 8. Ye pull off the robe.—Newcome, “Ye strip the mantle from off the garment,” &c. i.e. they spoiled the unprotected passenger. Ver. 9. The women, &c.—That is, they have plundered widows and children. Newcome explains this to mean, that by occasioning their families to be sent into captivity, they deprived them of all the privileges of the city and temple.