Commentarius in xii prophetas minores OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS CYRIL ARCHBISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA, EXEGETICAL COMMENTARY ON THE PROPHET HOSEA

 Israel. You shall not go in to them, and they shall not go in to you, lest they turn away your hearts after their idols. To these Solomon cleaved in l

 sinner. And Jeroboam was from the mountain and tribe of Ephraim. But when he had been appointed king, he then contrived in what manner the affairs of

 For we shall know in this way, and very easily, wherever the scope of the prophecy is looking. Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, was therefor

 of the Assyrians whom Manaim, being unable to ward off with weapons, persuaded with much money to depart from the land and to end the battle. But whe

 to have an incomparable difference in this compared to the others. He himself tore down the high places, and the groves, he says, he cut down and

 to define the ugliness of the matter itself, or even to suppose, according to some, that it was not done this way, nor that Gomer was taken in marriag

 the letter kills Then in addition to this, that he has presented Moses and those we have just now mentioned, as having spoken against what was divine

 your soul for his soul, and your people for his people. Do you hear how he who refused to strike the prophet was miserably destroyed, having fallen

 it frees from slander everywhere For marriage is honorable, and the bed undefiled, according to the voice of the blessed Paul and it was permitte

 by laws from above and from God. She has committed fornication therefore, away from the Lord, not enduring to follow. For she has become an apostate a

 therefore he proclaims the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel. For the tribes of Israel were conquered, as I said, by both Hazael and indeed by Ha

 he was affirming clearly. For far be it from me, he says, to give to you the vineyard of my father. But when the god-hated and profane Jezebel, sh

 of Christ, the tomb in the garden, in which the resurrection, following upon the passion, has conquered every kind of Jewish audacity. For through the

 he says, and he destroyed from the camp of the Assyrians in one night, one hundred and eighty-five thousand. And so those who were saved sang and

 Shalmaneser, those who still remained, and the remnant of those who had been in peril, completely slipped away from being called the people of God, be

 he came to speak, not at length. For that Israel would be rejected in due time, he clearly foretold through what has just been said by us but that he

 all with one mind only in Jerusalem, led at that time by Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, who was from the tribe of Judah, and with Jesus the son of J

 9Say to your brother, My people, and to your sister, Having obtained mercy.9 He very necessarily adds these things to what has already been said. For

 golden ones and this they do, rushing heedlessly into every kind of impurity. They will therefore blame, and very rightly so, their own mother, and n

 seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. So shall

 the righteous one for those tending to virtue so every impious person is in shame and disgrace. 9For she said, I will go after my lovers, who give me

 pressed by the greeds of those in power, they are no longer able to fulfill their usual obligations but rather to lament, and to be intoxicated with

 mind, and they set snares to corrupt men, according to what is written. Therefore both have honored Baal and they almost offer things concerning Go

 her sabbaths and all her feasts.9 For those who are altogether caught up in such harsh and inescapable evils, as to fall under a barbarian hand, and t

 which you spoke to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you, because we will surely do every word that proceeds from our mouth, to bur

 such a soul would be like a woman of no good character, or even is fadedly gilded and she almost bewitches the heart of her lovers with ornaments for

 saying And you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you have no need that anyone should teach you but as his Spirit teaches you about all thi

 Achor or Emekachor, to open her understanding. For it will be, he says, one of the most useful things for her to become sober and to finally open the

 he calls the time of the visitation of our Savior. For the time of the Incarnation of the Only-Begotten will be called a day, properly and truly, duri

 clearly of such a matter the blessed Isaiah says And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: and nation s

 in the manner of Moses. For not an ambassador, not an angel, according to what is written, but the Lord himself, the Word from God the Father who b

 And thus we have been enriched also in the knowing of Christ. And this, I think, is what was said to some: For if you do not believe, you will not un

 For somewhere concerning the saints the prophet Isaiah says that And everlasting joy shall be upon their head for upon their head shall be praise

 very readily going towards error, and worshipping the golden heifers, and bowing down and sacrificing to Baal, that is, to Baal-peor, might be compare

 would walk again towards the necessity of choosing to honor foreign gods, he promises to join to himself in due time, the multitude of the Gentiles ha

 being nourished by the letter of the law, although it also contains the things of the eighth day, that is, the 1.87 mysteries of Christ. But that his

 for of the hope prepared for the saints, and mixed with the flocks of the faithful, they will be pastured in a good pasture and in a rich place. For t

 those who follow his divine will. He adds to this, that cursing and lying and murder and theft and adultery are poured out upon the earth, and they mi

 of the coming of the Just One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. But the Savior also, reproaching the Pharisees and scribes for t

 of wickedness. For in this way, I suppose, the wise John also rebuked the most wicked multitude of the Pharisees and scribes, crying out and saying,

 he hints, comparing them to the ungoverned among animals. But that they will also be cast out from sacrifices and sacred ministry, he suggests, saying

 of misery and ill-counsel, and they have not ceased to offend God, I will turn their glory into dishonor, that is, in that very thing in which they ha

 with justice, beseeching and saying, If you will forgive their sin, forgive but if not, blot me out of this book which you have written. They shal

 a race, they offered according to their ability and they are still in these things, although the ancient sacrifices have been overturned for to thos

 accusations of the evils of the impiety that has come to an end, and they come into the lowest recesses of idolatry. And in their rods they reported t

 having a mind much inclined towards savagery, they deem those who have acted wretchedly worthy of no pity. It has therefore clearly indicated that the

 to love being devoted to the worship of idols, and to be estranged from the love of God. Here, therefore, do not be ignorant means, do not be fooli

 he shall no longer be grazed insolently, and as it were, unbridled and herd-despising for such a goaded heifer always is. But he will be on equal ter

 we are found or rather, having chosen equally with others to reject what is pleasing to God, we shall not only wrong ourselves, but by also destroyin

 But in no way did he leave the deceived one unblamed, that is, Israel. For this reason he says: I have known Ephraim, and Israel is not far from me. T

 Let the word of faith be understood as a first assault, and in addition to this the saving baptism, which brings about familiarity with God in the Spi

 For he said, Now mildew will devour them and their portions and we said that the ill-treatment and devastation from the war was called mildew tea

 they move boundaries, and wish to transgress those established long ago. For those who transfer to others the things fitting for God alone, and justly

 Ephraim has conquered a most strange thing and a harbinger of destruction, he has oppressed it as his own enemy, that is, he has generally contended a

 not being able to oppose the things that had happened, nor indeed being able to shake off the damages from the war, he has once again offended the all

 and comparing his own impulse to the most valiant beasts. For the panther rushes with an exceedingly swift course against whomever it may choose, and

 before him, and we shall know we shall pursue the knowledge of the Lord, as the morning we shall find him ready, and he will come to us as the early

 of her a hundred, sixty, and thirty, according to the Savior's voice. 1.139 9What shall I do to you, Ephraim? What shall I do to you, Judah? My mercy

 But he, having become according to us through himself, that is, a man, Of myself I do not speak but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandmen

 persuade you of ancient sacrifices and whole burnt offerings according to the law but He will rather have mercy, justifying by faith, and will call y

 And so, since Babylon was exceedingly populous, and Nineveh, he says, Her waters are like a pool of water, instead of, as a pool full of waters, so

 to use ambushes, and to murder savagely the people of Shechem, if they chose to go up to Jerusalem contrary to their will. And very many were utterly

 Or rather, even if He does not say it, subtly implying that, 'I also will make you the first-fruits of those who are punished.' For when I begin to sh

 and sometimes it finally sharpens the very gentleness of the judge, and all but forces it, even unwillingly, toward anger then it runs to the recolle

 he undertook to innovate the feasts for the heifers, as the account of the Hebrew tradition has it. Therefore, in the beginning he was exceedingly fea

 1.158 being still only in the thoughts of his unholy undertakings. For he thought, and very reasonably, that Israel would be indignant if it should le

 For what is not seen, trials often, by foresight, place it before their eyes. And it is better to consider what is expedient, without waiting for the

 and a dreadful report surely terrified those in Samaria. Therefore they were being chastised, hearing of the affliction that was all but upon them. Bu

 And I strengthened their arms, and against me they devised evil things. They turned away to nothing, they became like a bent bow.9 He adds another man

 difficulty but we, following the order of the thoughts, will say what comes to mind. This disparagement of them, therefore, he says in the land of Eg

 the affliction. For some things He does according to His own will, but others He allows to happen, punishing some, even if it happens somehow against

 to one who has no wheat, and has not prepared it for the need of flour. But if anything should come from them, that is, even if they should seem someh

 having reigned, and as it were withered by 1.175 the fire of divine wrath, he sprouted up again by himself, that is, without me, and not having my acc

 The crimes of Ephraim when they were kings first, that they multiplied altars for sins then that they have also made beloved the things for which it

 has resulted from foolish counsel, they will know from experience itself for being carried off to the Assyrians and Medes, there they will eat unclea

 to the herds of the nations, since indeed they suffer from the greatest folly for they had admittedly gone astray it was the custom for those beginn

 to my carved images. Therefore it is necessary to ask from God the things that give life, and to confess him as the giver and provider of all bodily

 to Egypt, and there the divine wrath was brought upon them? When therefore, shunning the misery in Egypt, they should arrive at Memphis as if to a fam

 by the works of their own hands, as it is written. But by madness he means divination. Therefore, since a multitude of iniquity is found in you, he s

 He names Israel. And so it is said somewhere through the voice of Jeremiah to the Synagogue of the Jews, as from the person of God Have you not calle

 them. For it was an idol, having a false notion about itself, that it was able to heal some. For sometimes the children of the Greeks invest handmade

 Baal-peor. for he was in the most uncomely form of all the others, and indecent to behold. Therefore, loving to be with God, and honoring him as one w

 far from them. For outside of them and far away, he says, may I myself be, and my entire race. For sometimes flesh also signifies race. For thus we

 churches, they would not become mothers of the deceived. 9All their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them because of the wickedness of their

 Then having come down, he was greatly grieved by the trespass, he smashed the calf, and he in a way appeased an indignant God by his own sincerity and

 having slipped from cheerfulness, to be carried away somewhere toward what is discordant with him but rather to seek and to hasten to accomplish, and

 punishment is wont to be extended, against whomever God wishes and now he recalls a story, which it is necessary to tell for thus, and not otherwise

 of the voice of the saints concerning those who have served the works of their own hands, Behold that their heart is ashes and they go astray. But t

 But those in Jerusalem practiced the error in the mountains and on the hills, as Solomon yielded and consented to foreign women, at that time also rai

 with the onsets of calamities, God bringing them under the yoke, and all but working this Himself, and paralyzing the beauty of its neck, that is, the

 calamities, the leading into captivity to foreigners, the burnings of cities, the savagery of the combatants. But he does not stop the word of exhorta

 Therefore they have harvested the fruits of their injustice in this matter, they have eaten a false fruit, that is, they have held a hope that is both

 inhumanly, and without any pity he will use war against you, and will dash the mother to the ground with her children. And these things will happen be

 from the face of God, those of the blood of Israel were to become in due time, and to be both abominable and hated, why were they even called in the b

 a similarity of the matter, as from what is done with infants. For those who take up small babies in their hands, as it were, bind their feet, bringin

 to unrestrainedly choose to do evil things, and in some way to be insolent with disobedience, even though He was calling him to salvation, the blessed

 leaving, that is, his own dwelling, he foolishly longed to go to that one's, although God had declared that He would in every way and entirely bring s

 a lawless man his counsels, and let him turn to the Lord, and he will be pitied. For it is necessary for us, if we consider it of great importance t

 Concerning Cyrus, A lion has gone up from his thicket, a destroyer of nations has set out, and has gone forth from his place to make your land a d

 the wickedness within them through labor and tribulations, they will be both pure and sanctified, and having learned by experience, that genuine love

 their practices. 9In the womb he supplanted his brother, and in his labors he was strong toward God, and he was strong with an angel and prevailed.9 H

 to the God who saves. Then He promised to deliver him from his fears, and not in a long time, so says the righteous God Arise, go up to the place Bet

 souls, but, as it were, having also plotted against the good reputation of their fathers, and shaming their ancestral nobility. 9And you shall return

 justly rebuking. And it would be a clear proof of the utmost folly, that Ephraim hastens to be rich by every means, and to consider the charges of plu

 wisely, that I speak to the Prophets, and I have multiplied visions, that is, from me will be every word of prophecy, and already has been, not from a

 from me in the straying of Israel who strayed from me after their own thoughts, and they will bear their iniquity. 9And Jacob fled into the plain of

 having put on a boast. Therefore, he himself has become the cause of his own destruction his blood will come upon him. But since, when he set up the

 For this they will be like a morning cloud and like the morning dew that goes away, and like chaff blown from the threshing floor and like smoke from

 Therefore the Creator did not show us creation so that it might be worshipped by us. And at any rate he also testified beforehand, saying through Mose

 biting, and scorpion, and thirst, where there was no water. For luxury always has a powerful ability, and to revel in unexpected honors, both to car

 choosing to be yoked rather to human yokes, and rejecting the 1.269 kingdom under Him, God, although He had reigned over their ancestors through holy

 he was truly wise, but he somehow speaks ironically for he seemed to be wise among Israel, and to have planned very wisely, for choosing to call for

 to cast peace but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-

 they will suffer death, and those not yet called to be and to live, and the sword will anticipate the coming forth of the enemies through birth-pangs.

 the flesh of horses, as it is written. Therefore they promise to depart both from worshipping idols and from still having their hopes in men. And th

 in a single-minded way, not expecting to be saved from enemies by another, but from him alone. Fulfilling this well, the Church from the Gentiles says

 let them be destroyed from the earth and from under this heaven. So therefore, he signifies that which is fixed and firm in love towards God, sayin

 to love, although no time had slipped in, during which any respite from the evil, however brief, might appear to have occurred. And we will find the b

 grim. For some things sharpen the hearers toward the pursuit of virtue while others teach them to shun the experience of evils before their approach

 to become 1.293 splendid and admirable achievements. And a fourth war came upon those from Israel, that of the Romans, when they were also scattered t

 sin. But we hasten towards such abominable and God-hated passions, some not very eagerly, but others using their full impulses, and having an unadmoni

 a shoot. And I would say that it would be fitting for them to weep without ceasing, and to lament to God and to strive to obtain through frequent pra

 to them that believe on his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Therefore, pushing

 almost mourned for the disobedient from Israel. For he said, Because I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart for my brothers, my kinsme

 word. For since, having most unwisely sat before the precincts of idols, although God was striking them in his anger, they sought help from there, the

 joy.9 He says, the day of the Lord, on which the things from wrath would come to pass, either by the locust brought upon them and consuming the things

 deemed worthy of concern, because nothing was being gathered from the fields, but the sickle in the vineyard and on the grape-cluster was idle, and pe

 turning away the divine and evangelical [teaching] understood in Christ. 9Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim on my holy mountain, and all the inhabita

 nothing for it rushes in a multitude, and yields little to those who fight bravely in battle. For the thing is voracious and because of its immeasura

 to deliberate more prudently, those who have grieved the lawgiver by their deviations into wickedness. For the excess of pain knows, it knows how to e

 punishment. For by tormenting ourselves, we very effectively, as it were, turn away the divine wrath that is raging and savage against us, and we easi

 Let drinking be cast aside. But the Prophet says that even the sacred and chosen race must join the mourners, and at the very foundations of the templ

 a land rich in corn, as a garden luxuriant with seasonable seeds, as a vineyard rich in grapes, and indeed He will make it fat with oil, according to

 man, so that by flooding the world under heaven with good things from above, he might be found by those who believe in him As a river of peace, as a

 proclaiming him as a worker of wonders, and as one who bestows on those who love him things beyond word and hope. And we have known absolutely no othe

 speaking the testimonies concerning 1.336 Christ through the holy prophets, and those things by which it was likely that the hearers, being very well

 according to the flesh, I say, which leads to corruption and sin For the mind of the flesh is death, according to what is written but the one fro

 and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.9 At t

 he has been called for as the divine Paul writes No one takes the honor upon himself, but he who is called by God. Therefore the blessed disciples

 worshipped in a temple according to ancient customs, will again prevail and will be unbearable to all everywhere, and will impose tributes on some of

 These things are concerning Israel 1.349 and his own inheritance, which they divided among themselves, plundering perhaps the remnants of the Babyloni

 you have sold to the sons of the Greeks. And it is likely that something like this happened, that some from Israel were carried away into the lands of

 among men. 9Proclaim these things among the nations, sanctify war, rouse the warriors, bring forth and come up, all you men 1.354 of war, beat your p

 he says that they are seen as most bold, courageous and youthful, not terrified by the fears of war, nor indeed as going into battle at all, but rathe

 The Lord will spare his people, and the Lord will strengthen the sons of Israel. and you will know that I am the Lord your God, who dwells in Zion in

 sweetness, and as if anointing with honey they will make their discourse about the Savior, so that each of those who have partaken cries out from exce

 The facts themselves bear witness. But in these things the prophetic word seems to show us a hidden dispensation, which the Only-Begotten fulfilled wh

 Amos makes conspiracies against you in the midst of the house of Israel, the land is not able to bear all his words because thus says Amos: By a

 And he added to these things the good things that come from gentleness, and that in due time there would be a great sparing of them and a renewal to t

 the gold that was found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the house of the king and sent it to Hazael king of Syria, and he went up fr

 that it was necessary then also to act as a priest to God, and indeed he dared to go up to the divine altar itself, and to offer incense. But immediat

 those things being later, we will of necessity attach to the times of both Jeroboam and Uzziah the things that happened to the foreigners, and no less

 they tolerated those speaking openly, very much stirred up to audacity, and rebuking the holy prophets and saying, “But speak to us and announce to us

 As if he were to say, for instance, to Damascus: I will determine your judgment, for what you have threshed and crushed those in Gilead, so as not eve

 The Idumaeans, though descended from the blood of Esau, have always held hostile thoughts toward those of Israel, with whom the Gazites and the Azotia

 to the Idumeans. But they, having made their blood brothers and free men from of old into the portion of captives, both oppressed them with the bitter

 having been mindful of nature, not having been mindful of anything human, but accustomed to conquering those outside and most hostile with enmities ag

 they refused and drew back, fearing to make war, so that they might not seem to neglect love towards their brothers but he made their drawing back, o

 of them. For in order that they may appear to be leaders of many, they do violence to wretched souls, and by deceptions from their words they cause th

 their vanities which they made have led them astray, which their fathers followed after them and I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour t

 person in judgment and again, You shall not slay the innocent and the just. For the one entrusted with judging is certainly established in the or

 of the good, I mean of being devoted to the God and Lord who is so by nature and in truth. They turn aside from the way of the humble, those who do no

 For they did not, he says, keep the altar free from hangings, but having fallen under them, they dared to get drunk and to fulfill the works of pleasu

 Israel, the Amorites and Hivites, Girgashites and Perizzites and Jebusites, with God clearly fighting alongside, no one would doubt. Bitter therefore

 For even if the law was in shadows, yet it was not entirely deprived of the doctrines of truth for the form of piety flashes forth in its types. But

 strength of body the one who is strong nor military experience the one who knows tactics and has practiced archery excellently and is admired for it

 Will two walk together at all, unless they know one another?9 Deep is the riddle and dim the saying nevertheless, we will speak as we are able. He th

 For, as I said, they have cried out against those who are accustomed to impiety. But just as for the animals in the mountains the hunter's shout befor

 the one who is grieved and has the power to harm those 1.424 who have sinned. Therefore, in these matters, we shall understand the 'evil' that comes f

 we will show by making it clear. Indeed, the thing being signified has a recollection of history, lying in the fourth of Kings, and in the second of C

 time and they were thirty-one years. But in the last period, Pharaoh Necho, the leader of the Egyptians, campaigned against the Babylonians, and went

 God. Tyre and your land round about will be laid waste, and he will break your strength from you, and your lands will be plundered. But the phrase ‘Ty

 troublesome, but for you it is safe. He therefore commands those serving as priests to almost raise their own voice and bear witness to Israel, and

 the profane has no basis for security but it both always remains and is saved, and accompanies the boundless ages. 9Hear this word, you heifers of Ba

 by assaults they have a heart easily broken. These heifers, therefore, say to their lords, Give to us that we may drink. For the affairs of harlotro

 in the morning the sacrifices, and they brought their tithes also for the three-day festival. By the three-day festival he means the three days of the

 And so he has made the pronouncements concerning the drought: Judah has mourned, and her gates have been emptied, and they were darkened upon the ea

 having preferred it, then indeed, then, he says, your most warlike race was consumed by the sword of the Babylonians. and all your cavalry was taken c

 alien and falsely named, but your God, O Israel, that is, whom you have known through experience itself, that he is God by nature and in truth, and no

 I take up a lamentation for you. For the God of all has spoken in me, he says, and a lamentation has been composed by me for you who depart from him.

 Leaping away from long ignorance, seek me, He says, that is, serve me who am God by nature, the life-giver, the one mighty to save, and the one who pl

 moving into that which is contrary to nature. He says that the shadow turns aside into the morning, that is, the night, or rather the darkness, change

 you have planted desirable ones and you will not drink their wine.9 It is true, that in every way and altogether, to abstain from good things has its

 of the economy of things, to neither rebuke any longer, nor indeed to correct those who have chosen to be impious, on account of the fact that those b

 I will pass through the midst of you, said the Lord.9 Having tasted, he says, the evils of war, and having been not moderately grieved by what had alr

 being wholly attached, they were found to be very slothful and greatly negligent of the laws given through Moses but those in Jerusalem sacrificed on

 truly and rhythmically resounding melody. For sacrifice, he says, a sacrifice of praise, and pay your vows to the Most High and call upon me in th

 they imitate for Christ the depravity and hardness of heart of their own fathers, he clearly recalls the calf-making in the wilderness, and says conce

 of this people, and not worthy for them to be pitied, and do not approach me concerning them in supplication and prayer, for I will not listen to yo

 narrower, the neighboring and bordering Epiphaneia Antiochus, surnamed Epiphanes, having named one Antioch, and the other Epiphaneia for his own glor

 a day to fall. For instance, as if someone might say about one of the lovers of sin, He desires to die, even though that person does not wish to suf

 a calamity was all but present, and the capture of Samaria, and the crushing that would befall the descendants of Joseph, they did not neglect their a

 Jacob, and I have hated all his lands. for there was not in them the one who fulfills the divine will there was not one who kindled reverence for him

 when asked if anyone perhaps among them, either still living by chance, or already dead is hidden, to add also an oath, that no one is still among the

 being a people exceedingly and as it were rocky, and never yet trodden by any of the enemies? But it was God who had been dishonored, who makes the ha

 one Gog the king. and it shall be when he finishes to eat up the grass of the land, and I said, O Lord, Lord, be merciful who shall raise up Jacob?

 so would a thing of such a terrible stench be ruined. 9Thus the Lord showed me, and behold, the Lord called for judgment by fire, and it devoured the

 Beelphegor, on account of the very ugliness of its form. And it disparages all idol-making, as being from this one thing, the most shameful of all. Th

 prophesy but in Bethel you shall no longer prophesy, because it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house.9 He is then clearly shameless, and

 unchaste into the licentiousness of those having her, as if she endured it out of necessity and the children will also be destroyed, having become th

 he says, the one who has fallen in every place, I will cast silence. For since every place has henceforth been brought to desolation, and has no inhab

 a time sufficient for them for greed. These say, When will the month be over, that we may sell? This is the prayer of those who lend and of petty trad

 a necessary course for those who are truly good and prudent, and to esteem nothing above the equilibrium between love for God and love for brothers. A

 for the holy prophets at the very end of their own words to remember Christ, and to make the narrative of the mystery concerning him, still overshadow

 Christ advised the lovers of moderation, and urged them to go even further, and to assist those in need and to distribute their possessions. But what

 enduring yokes. So when Samaria has been ravaged, he says, and the Babylonian is burning the cities, even if some should choose then to learn what the

 young men, no longer supplying the false words of demons, because 1.525 they themselves also became the work of the hand of foreigners, either having

 a wiping out, but upon all on whom is the sign, do not approach, and from my holy ones begin. Do you see how He made the leading men the first-frui

 evils and not for good. For he will look upon them, he says, not to bestow any good things, but so that they might have unshakable and, as it were, fi

 he has seen. For there was a ladder extending from earth up to heaven, and The Lord, he says, was set up on it, while he saw the angels ascend- in

 and He will transform the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, and he will receive them as participants in his own king

 Cyrene, although very elevated and situated on high, because it lies as if in a deep bay. For all the land of the Libyans, so to speak, has maritime b

 He says that this will be a sign and an assurance to the other nations, both those near and those far away, that it is necessary henceforth to turn to

 to reasonably think that. For since, as I said, Christ came back to life for the Father raised the tent of David, and rebuilt its ruins, a great and

 he says, will be for destruction, and Idumea for a plain of destruction because of the injustices of the sons of Judah, for which they poured out rig

 he sent forth. But what nations? Those of Idu- 1.549 mea. For he says the surrounding, or siege, that is, the enclosure, was sent against them, with t

 and the impiety toward your brother Jacob and shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever From the day you stood opposed, on the day tha

 showing that they have become merciless. The word is fashioned, as if to those already being struck and tortured, with God exclaiming and reproaching

 the account, following the trope, speaks of them as fire-bearing, for it named the house of Jacob fire, and in turn the house of Joseph a flame. And t

 easy to be reconciled with those who offend if only we show some small turning towards him to him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 God the Father himself clearly taught, saying thus: They have spoken rightly in all that they have said. I will raise up for them a Prophet from thei

 always collecting and composing that which contributes to the clarification of the mysteries of Christ 1.565, will produce a discourse that is both sk

 to the necessity of choosing to repent, although they were exceedingly sick with error but those who disregarded Moses and the prophets, have also de

 and the Lord standing upon it. 1.570 And he said upon rising, Surely God is in this place, and I did not know it. Therefore I think, indeed, that ha

 Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. and they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.9 The sailors, indeed,

 would be done by them, and the surging 1.575 will be calmed, and the wave will be stilled, and they themselves will escape the ultimate danger. What t

 But perhaps the matter might seem to some to be in a way unseemly, and beyond fitting reason. For they will disbelieve, and before all others, those w

 crying out, Master, save us, 1.580 we are perishing. And he, being awakened, it says, rebuked the sea, saying with authority, Be silent, be muzzled

 to have its bars as possessors forever, as it were unbreakable and never overcome or loosened by anyone. But that he did not die, but lived, as I said

 A prophet, for whom suffering was not without profit, but rather was sharpened by the experience, and had come to know clearly how perilous it is to c

 to me, we heard clearly at the very beginning of the prophecy but that he himself had spoken something to God, we did not know. However, we shall fi

 he was giving to others the need both to fast and, appeasing God with unceasing prayers, to beg for mercy. But the Ninevites were very wise, combining

 Our virtue-loving God, a worker of evils. 9And Jonah was grieved with a great grief, and was confounded and he prayed to the Lord and said: O Lord, w

 great joy.9 God then commands the gourd again, just as also the sea monster, clearly by nodding and merely willing it. And it springs up immediately,

 the good Master. For if you, he says, 1.598 were sullen, or rather are even brought to extreme grief, because the gourd plant has withered for you, wh

 for the war he hired the Assyrian with money, and called on him to help, since he was unable to lead out an army against the forces of the attackers

 in temples of stone or in sanctuaries made by hand. But since we say that the holy houses have been raised for the glory of God, for this reason we ha

 of this place. For being God by nature He became man and He seems somehow 1.607 to have endured motion, in this respect I mean, although not knowing

 Jerusalem, you have set up altars to burn incense to Baal. Why do you speak to me? All of you have committed iniquity, and all of you have acted im

 Baal therefore the votive offerings are clear. But that the senseless Israel reckoned prosperity as wages and a recompense for its zeal in going as

 he wished to burn it but yet he was not able, with God defending it, during the time of the reign of Hezekiah. Therefore, when having abandoned the o

 Senan, but Symmachus has “prospering,” perhaps this subtly indicating Senan. But if Sennaar should be understood, we say that it is a wide region inha

 to the daughter of Zion, because in you were found the impieties of Israel.9 Lachish, again, is a city subject to the scepter of Judah, a neighbor and

 situated in the extremities of the whole country, I mean both Lachish and Odollam, which Rehoboam built, and he says, The inhabitant of Lachish, an in

 vexations, and to work evils, that is, again to devise pretexts to fulfill and to be able to harm the weaker. Then, though they should have reconsider

 a tear and the wailings over them, which others might happen to make, or rather, they themselves weeping for their own sufferings among themselves. Th

 Some of those from Israel did this, so as not even at times to spare their own garments. But what does He say Who looks into the heart and reins? Ret

 on him the wrath of the Lord, and not for destruction to the end for in Judah, it says, there were good words. Do you see, then, how it is not unpr

 He speaks ironically, and as if it were a custom, introducing what is grievous as something useful. For he all but says, O you leaders of the peoples,

 God the Giver, but rather ourselves, if indeed we are in a good state of both mind and understanding. 9 A spirit has set up a falsehood, it has drippe

 their king went out before their face, and the Lord will lead them.9 It is a custom for the holy prophets, even in the visions themselves, often to be

 And he says *judgment*, either the holy and blameless sentence passed upon them, or condemnation but it would be fitting in these things for the know

 so brilliant and worthy of reception. But when they persuaded them to pay attention to them, they stirred up war against them, not themselves rousing

 It is necessary for those who have a counterfeit glory of prophecy to speak falsely. For how could one who does not speak in God, who is truth, speak

 peace through the cross and joining them like a corner into unanimity in the Spirit. For it is written that the multitude of those who believed were

 So also in the deserted places, and wherever very many calamities might appear. But these things have happened to the peoples of the Jews, when they a

 the lowly and rejected state of dogmas not having been ignorant, they say Let us go up, as leaping up high henceforth 1.659, as far as it pertains t

 Satan has tyrannized over all, and together with the evil powers with him he waged war against the world under the sun, and placing the yoke of his gr

 and of the vine. And the fig tree will be a symbol of sweetness, but the vine of spiritual gladness. For the word of the Savior is exceedingly sweet,

 But he calls Sion a squalid tower of the flock, that is, he also names Jerusalem itself, speaking as it were in character, almost even frowning at her

 at last showed your counsel, that it was both best and necessary. You made the yoke of the kingdom under God a thing to be cast off. Behold, birth pan

 The prophet Jeremiah. 9Now the daughter of Ephraim shall be completely hedged in: he has set a siege against you: with a rod they shall strike the tri

 into the kingdom of the Son of his love in the light. Therefore, he makes the discourse to Bethlehem, that is, the house of Ephrathah. And the regio

 an infant from a virgin’s loins. For then there will be the most complete redemption, and they will be established in sure prosperity, with nothing at

 filling all things. This city of God, then, is a kind of land and country of the sanctified, who have been enriched with unity toward God in the Spiri

 no less will the prophet Isaiah persuade us, saying And it shall be in that day, God will bring his holy and great and strong sword upon the dragon,

 they both luxuriate and rejoice in the same way, I think, the mind of teachers also makes the tractability of their pupils and the obedience of their

 of the remaining peoples, that is, of those from the remnant, so that you may again understand the ministers of the evangelical ordinances. Then to th

 ravines, the foundations of the earth, for the Lord has a judgment against his people, and he will argue his case with Israel.9 The word is indeed rep

 he brought into the middle, showing I have sinned, it seems, against fitting reason, because I delivered you from bitter slavery, I powerfully brough

 having been unmindful of these things, you have assigned the glory fitting for me to lifeless matter, crying out and saying to the golden calves, The

 in types but the truth itself makes it fragrant to God, who also says through another prophet I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of

 was exalted in their mouth?9 For do you think, he says, that the lawless man will be justified in the balance? That is, if I should test and, as it we

 wasted away, they will live wretchedly, but they will pay the penalty for the impious things done by them, he makes it clear through what follows. For

 a second gathering of grape clusters follows after them. These are indeed hard for the vintagers to find, both because they are easily hidden in the a

 has, how could he still find fault? Truly, therefore, greed and the oppression of others are an unholy and harmful thing. And in addition to this, it

 Ben- jamin and the watchtower. Therefore Gabaa was called both a hill and a watchtower for Gabaa is thus interpreted, because it was raised high, a

 and he might be angry, and very rightly so, with those who pervert what is right, and paralyze the faith of the more simple, and we ourselves so to sp

 that Israel, being a remnant, along with the sacred vessels, he commanded to go home and to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. For then, as if escaping

 will be clothed with shame, saying to me, Where is the Lord your God? my eyes will look upon her now she will be for trampling like mud in the street

 a wise and all-pure and holy virgin, the one having no spot or wrinkle, would reasonably say, But I will look upon the Lord, I will wait for God my

 Therefore, he says that of the time, that is, on that day, on which sons might become neglectful of their affection for fathers, and daughters in turn

 both through His body to spiritual union. And so Christ Himself said, And other sheep I have namely those of the circumcision them also I must br

 For when the God of all was freeing Israel from the slavery in Egypt, he punished with various plagues those who wished to oppress and wear him out wi

 into incorruption, into glory, into a relaxed and free life, then indeed then they will be put to shame, being thrust out from their dominion over the

 the superiority of the gentleness towards us is beyond the power of words for one who knows how to marvel. And indeed the divine Habakkuk, being aston

 and were carried off as captives into the land of the Persians and Medes, those who by their outrageous apostasies had grieved God who always presides

 to them they dedicated songs of thanksgiving. For the wretched ones said out of their madness, These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of

 I have been jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy, and with great anger I am angry against the nations that join in the attack,

 The intelligible clouds went before the Only-Begotten, that is, the blessed prophets, using a more obscure and not very manifest word, yet with life-g

 terrible and most warlike races inhabited it, and sons of giants, as it is written. Yet they have been removed and conquered by the sons of Israel, wi

 to rejoice for its inhabitants. But he says that it has been diminished for they have been consumed by the hand of the Romans, and having encountered

 a misfortune and a bitter and unexpected suffering, which indeed happened to the ancients, being carried off into captivity, and their land being capt

 intertwined, it will be devoured, and like a stalk full of dryness. From you shall come forth a thought against the Lord, plotting wicked things, cont

 as Lord and God of all, as one who steers by his own commands the things that have come to be by him, and who changes the inclination of all hearts to

 his rod from you and your bonds I will break apart and the Lord will give command concerning you. For of old, yoked under the scepters of the devil, a

 into immeasurable polytheism. But we will no longer be scattered, but we will remain in every way in Christ, having one faith, one baptism, and one Lo

 Amos, who lived for barely two years, and after him Josiah, in whose time the things of the prophecy were fulfilled, as the discourse has just shown u

 shining with the grace of adoption. He will offer spiritual sacrifices to God, dedicating himself as a fragrant aroma, and practicing every kind of vi

 the power of sin which tyrannized has been curtailed, and death has been captured as it were, and corruption has been entirely removed. For Christ has

 with visions of things. Therefore they were astonished, and seeing them all but fulfilled, they made their pronouncements about them something of whi

 now looks toward captivity, both the ruling city, I mean Nineveh, and those under it and around it, which he also calls handmaidens 2.43, because they

 paralysis of bodies, and upon these things, pains, clearly those from unpleasantness for how were they not going to be in such evils, who had been br

 Lord of hosts? For who shall turn back his mighty hand? according to what is written. He says indeed that he will burn up her multitude in smoke, so

 some, that is, those who plunder the things of others for themselves, would not become a snare and a noose for the weaker, since another care has come

 showing its ugliness without concealment. Therefore, he says, I will uncover your backside, that is, everything that is unseemly in you, and I will sh

 the God of all things, Nebuchadnezzar was armed against Judea and against Jerusalem, with divine wrath stirring him to this. Then, when it was necessa

 having, that is, being shaken and falling by enemies, and deprived of the oversight from above. For whom God would visit, He certainly pities and make

 God handing them over. Therefore, that this effort of theirs will also be nothing, he shows by saying Draw water for yourself for the siege. But it

 placing, and that those in powers and authorities and the demagogues and those who have obtained high and conspicuous honors have fallen asleep. And t

 you because upon whom has your wickedness not come continually?9 A decree that has become just from God, destroying the rule of the Babylonians, will

 the discourse cleverly on the universal and most general, that is, that which has come about through Christ for all those redeemed through faith, and

 a judge, and not enduring to pervert the vote 2.73 of the just but exceedingly insolent, and the bribe-taker comes against the divine dignities thems

 that they are also unexpected, and beyond hope and hard to bear and, because of their extreme terribleness, apt to strike with terror, and perhaps som

 ambitious and boastful and an insatiable lover of glory for those who have reigned in Babylon are always boastful and exceedingly ambitious. But sinc

 in opposition to their faces.9 2.81 This indeed is the end and crown of the evils that were foretold. For he says the Chaldeans will come, and they wi

 disaster having been brought home, and the yoke of slavery having been broken, it allows us to understand, as he says the Lord of all will be in a cha

 an eye, and it would never endure to become a spectator of wicked and unholy things, nor would it look upon the toils that come from injustices and gr

 completely speechless. 2.89 For there was not in us a word of piety, nor a voice of doxology to God, but rather killing one another and having a most

 to then leap up to a watchtower and a rock for the contemplation of whatever the Lord of knowledge might choose to make clear to them. For indeed the

 In the last times of the present age the Only-begotten shone forth, and the one who drew back, and most foolishly rejected faith in him, has offended

 full of arrogance, truly abominable and misanthropic. 9Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a riddle as a tale about him? And they s

 therefore counselling him. For understanding that he is finally placed under the feet of the saints, Christ saying clearly, Behold, I have given you

 the evils that occur. For the aim 2.103 of the Babylonians was always to be fenced in by great multitudes of defenders, and to have innumerable men wh

 to those who have read scripture. But these things are not from the Lord Almighty. For it is not, it is not possible to say that such evils have come

 upon their caves drink a surfeit of dishonor from glory.9 He utters again the Woe to the unholy audacities of Nebuchadnezzar, proclaiming what he w

 of the city, and of all who dwell in it.9 Somehow it is always present and seen to be terribly attached to the souls of the arrogant to have the great

 they have become and as far as possible from all good repute. For they also acted impiously against Lebanon. You will understand Lebanon to be the Chu

 truly God, and to him every wise man will kindle reverence, to him he will bring also his supplications, from him he will seek to be saved, and him he

 heart, you turned back the one who was wandering, you bound up that which was broken, you became a light to those in darkness, a door and a way to lif

 having been revealed according to nature. But even if he became flesh, and was set forth by the Father as a propitiation, he has not cast off what he

 of the saints and of all, now henceforth, that is under heaven. For we have known the one in the midst of two living creatures, prefigured as a propit

 Teman shall come, that is, from Bethlehem which is to the south. For the Word, the Only-begotten of the Father, who is by nature and truly God, having

 the people who sat in darkness, have seen a great light and Shine, shine O Jerusalem, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen u

 kindling on their heads and that he would save those who had been deceived and had endured a truly inescapable greed. But that 2.133 their things are

 Zipporah the wife of Moses, circumcising her child with a stone, said to the destroying angel, The blood of the circumcision of my child is staunched

 to God, and they hasten to claim for themselves the glory that is fitting for Him. But they were violently shattered. For they are crushed by the powe

 shall we depart? You have the words of eternal life. For they did not see the journeys as labors, but the word was truly sweet and worthy of being h

 having changed [it] into blood, 2.144 not pouring out His own wrath upon waters, not dividing the waves of the sea, not bringing destruction upon men

 to be called rivers, since indeed they have become conformed to him spiritually. For just as he is the true light, he said somewhere to the holy apost

 the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all deeps. And having added to these mountains and hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, beasts and cattle,

 bears more fruit.” And again, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to my- 2.152 self.” Therefore, the sun being lifted up,

 justified, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, and shown to be partakers of his divine nature but he has permitted those who have chosen to disobey 2.

 no longer of God, but rather diabolical and most dishonorable and profane. Then concerning the ecstasy he says that they will be shaken in it, that is

 having called them more supersti- tious, he has disturbed them not a little, adding this, The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands

 to one who was asking and wishing to learn, for what reason he made it of great account to die, or rather to ascend to the people of his sojourning, h

 my strength, and He will set my feet for a consummation He will make me walk upon high places, that I may be victorious in His song.9 Here then eithe

 royal honor to Jerusalem, Sennacherib, the tyrant of the Assyrians, went up, and he captured Samaria, and deported Israel that is, the ten tribes to

 having ravaged the whole country he took Jerusalem, and having burned the divine temple, along with the sacred vessels he carried off Judah and Benjam

 those turning away from the Lord and those not seeking the Lord, and those not holding fast to the Lord.9 He thus clarifies what was obscurely said, a

 from your wickednesses. For it is not at all the same thing to remove wickedness from human eyes and from before the face of God, but the difference

 the slaughter of those who have sinned, upon the very first things, which are pre-eminent in glory and set before others, will the things of wrath pro

 the voice of the prophet 2.182 Ezekiel. Therefore, at that time, he says, from one gate of those who pierce, that is, of those who slaughter those who

 in their hearts: 'The Lord will not do good, nor will he do evil.'9 Whatever the enemies, using unrestrained madness against the captured, were about

 bringing punishment. What 2.187 then is wealth? It serves the flesh alone and is a servant of unholy and abominable pleasure, and a father of arroganc

 A day of clamor is the day of the Lord against the fortified cities and against the high corners. For, as I said, He calls fortified those that are po

 as also dishonoring the ancient commandment itself, and impiously rejecting the law that trains and is able to bring forth every kind of goodness. But

 became the hand of the Babylonians. But if anyone from Judea, having left his home and fled his native land during the time of war, arrived among his

 behind the mainland, and penetrating into the very southernmost regions. But it should be known that instead of From a pit, the other interpreters h

 For Moab shall be as Sodom, and the sons of Ammon as Gomorrah, and Damascus abandoned, as a heap of the threshing floor and made to disappear forever

 power? Or how could they save others, who are not even able to defend themselves? Or rather, what is deaf and senseless matter anyway? The idols of t

 OF THE SAME AUTHOR, ON THE SAME PROPHET, BOOK TWO. And you, Ethiopians, are the slain of my sword. He remembers every

 he asserts, setting this I think as a sign of its complete desolation and of no one dwelling in it for things of the fields do not grow in a city. Bu

 and will move his hands, striking them against each other, as I suppose, and applauding out of amazement, and sending forth a sound from his mouth, on

 has departed from the straight path, and has remained ignorant and without a share in the divine teachings. 9She has not trusted in the Lord.9 For whe

 it is written. For what at all is the excess from bribery? And how will shameful little gain profit those who love it? Rather, what loss would it not

 to the ministers of the Church, not to profane the holy things and the manner of profanation is not one, but varied and many. For it is necessary to

 And in addition to these things, he threatened to make his ways desolate, clearly those of Israel, so that no one would pass through at all. And it se

 of them. What this might also mean, we will say as we can. The tyrants of the Babylonians have sacked Samaria and other cities of Judea besides, first

 He threatens the nations with devastation, that which came about through Cyrus and all who were his fellow soldiers and invaded with him, overrunning

 A word concerning the times of the visitation, and he sets forth a clear sign of the change of tongues. for it is written in the Acts of the holy Apos

 no one would doubt. For we have been justified not because of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his great mercy. And we h

 of the most God-contemplative, and before all others, the divine disciples, who have also been set as a light of the world. But the God-loving and goo

 He has commanded the heart to rejoice necessarily, since its sins have been taken away, that is, through Christ. For the spiritual and holy Zion has b

 the cross raised for the life and incorruptibility of the world, we who have chosen to think rightly will affirm to be the boast of the Church and th

 of you before you, says the Lord.9 He recapitulates in a way the purpose of the God-befitting munificence, and in what things the believers will surel

 to speak slenderly of these things for the present. Therefore, since it was now possible for those of Israel to labor, and to build the divine temple,

 he bears witness through the voice of the Prophet, how impiously Israel had neglected those things which were most useful for it and looked to the glo

 having undertaken it, you acted according to your wish. you sowed much and brought in little. But it was better, with God blessing, to sow little, but

 for those choosing to speak with lean words, also the clarification of the names themselves, that is, the interpretation. 2.251 For Zerubbabel signifi

 has he shown to the erring the way of correction? And indeed we shall immediately observe this very thing happening. For he said, Go up to the mounta

 they will remain altogether without a taste of and without a share in the blessing through Christ and in addition to these things they will be subjec

 and the spirit of Jesus the son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the remnant of all the people, and they went in and did the works in th

 For the one was exceedingly splendid and constructed with an ambitious hand, beautiful with gold and silver offerings but the other was unadorned and

 the church from the gentiles, and to the times of the coming of our Savior. Then indeed he promises to shake both heaven itself and the earth, and als

 at the time of the coming of our Savior, the divine temple was shown to be incomparably more glorious, and so better than the former and superior, by

 having turned away, and being incontinent towards avarice, they admitted listlessness, as if it were not permitted for them as in ample leisure to be

 to be separated and to love to stand aloof from worldly corruption. But if it happened at that time that one who had visited the dead touched some one

 long ago, having undertaken the zeal for this. For consider, he says, and remember who you were, that is, how and in what manner you were disposed, be

 of Christ. The prophetic word now hints at something of this kind to us for these things have necessarily been added to what has already been said, s

 and not for long, as in one accord of faith and as in unity of the Spirit and of the love that is in Christ. 9In that day, says the Lord Almighty, I w

 he has become an imitator of virtuous deeds. What then is the message of his prophecy, and through what narratives does it come, how would it not be r

 Reasonably, one might make a wise exhortation to them, saying these things at the opportune time: The Lord was very angry with your fathers. 9And you

 race. But they said such things, as I just said, the wretched ones speaking falsely, and making Israel, who was indolent, even more supine, although i

 to the one standing between the mountains, and they said, We have gone through all the earth, and behold, all the earth is inhabited and is at rest.

 Reasonably. The Prophet, then, was perplexed and asks for a revelation and he learns that these are they whom the Lord has sent forth to patrol all t

 I was angry a little, but they helped for evil.9 It is true to say that according to the voice of the psalmist, The Lord is compassionate and mercifu

 is built again into a holy temple, into a dwelling-place of God in the Spirit, and indeed with all uncleanness driven away, it is walled anew by God

 we shall find that Judea suffered. For Phul was the first, as I said, to capture the tribes beyond the streams of the Jordan then after him Shalmanes

 that is, of the kingdoms, and they having organized war against each other, Israel will be let go, and will dwell again in an enlarged Jerusalem, fort

 It is true that Babylon is interpreted as confusion and sinning would be the work, not of a stable and steadfast mind, but rather of one that is conf

 and to Christ to live a righteous, evangelical life, then to be filled with the gifts from 2.309 him, and to receive authority over unclean spirits,

 Jerusalem, whose craftsman and maker is God, making her beloved and elect. for he says he will yet choose Jerusalem. And it is not unlikely again, i

 in the scriptures. And so God said somewhere to Moses, And I, behold, have taken the Levites instead of all the sons of Israel, they are a gift giv

 I have taken away your iniquities. Then he said it was necessary that a long robe and a clean tiara be given to him for his head, so that by this we m

 yourself, Zion. And somewhere the blessed David also offered up thanksgiving odes, saying thus, He set my feet upon a rock. For by the word stand

 Paul, declaring this very thing, The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the a

 into impiety, and they have acted outrageously against the Son Himself, and have slipped into the pit of the cross, He did not leave their sin still u

 and a sweet multitude, becoming so little by little, and going toward this by improvements for the better. For having matured, and having ascended to

 unholily but to those who have loved his appearing there was both delight and luxury, and what of such things was there not? For they have become a

 me, saying: This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by great power, nor by might, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.9 For you m

 the high priest Emmanuel. 9Who art thou, O great mountain, before the face of Zerubbabel to set aright? And I will bring forth the stone of the inheri

 that ancient and famous one. For they were redeemed from Egypt in the flesh, they shook off the slavery imposed on them through greed, they were broug

 Therefore, the house has been founded, as it were, through Christ but it was torn down in the meantime. and so the prophet 2.340 Jeremiah lamented it

 Christ is all-powerful, and having no harshness as God, he shatters Satan like a diamond, concerning whom it is written, His heart is hardened like a

 a second time, and I said to him, What are the two olive branches, which are in the hands of the two golden spouts that 2.345 pour out and bring up th

 I think in this way the divine Moses was also adorned by the name of 'standing beside', when God said to him, But you, stand here with me. For the i

 Ezra, having reached the divine house, made supplications on behalf of those who had acted impiously. Then what happened, we will learn from the thing

 we say, that the Master of all is by nature good and loving-to-man for he is patient with sinners, and he endures transgressors, awaiting each one's

 who readily go to every impurity, and hold as nothing the things decreed through the all-wise Moses. Therefore, the vision again likens the two synago

 Creator of all 2.358 You established the earth and it abides. These, then, the kingdoms from the four winds, stronger than the others, as we said, a

 of those who fell there and an inscription has been engraved, having such a meaning: At Issus, on the shores of the sea, by the Cilician wave, we, t

 with him founding the house and indeed also finishing it was Joshua, the son of Jozadak, the high priest. For this reason, the God of all commanded th

 of corruption he is Jesus, as I said, the great high priest. and Jesus is interpreted Salvation of the people for thus also the divine Gabriel said

 I have said before, at once king and high priest, as through two being depicted as one, the Emmanuel. Yet the labor is not unrewarded for those who cr

 Israel who were before him against him came up Shalmaneser king of the Assyrians, and Hoshea became his servant. And after other things again, An

 of the sanctification that had taken place, although the divine temple had also been raised and the ruin of the captivity. For they sanctified, as I s

 having made the path of the way of life that pleases him clear and plain, he makes white, as it were, the meaning of the law itself and of the prophet

 having shown them the cause of their evils, he transfers the discourse to the good things that come from gentleness, and from then on attempts to prom

 worshipping but having rather received the truth, who is Christ, and fulfilling the worship in spirit and in truth. 9Thus says the Lord Almighty: Old

 full of thorns, having none of the ripe fruits, and the race of the rustics being utterly ruined. It was therefore, as I said, from this likely to dis

 of those hearing in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets, from the day the house of the Lord Almighty was founded, and the temple fro

 benefit and the wage of the beasts did not exist. For the farmers were without wages, and having gathered absolutely nothing, they departed from the f

 to the nations the house of Judah and the house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing be of good courage and let your hands be st

 Judah, and so he is called also in the divinely inspired Scripture. And indeed the patriarch Jacob thus mentions him, saying, Judah, let your brothe

 of the days just now named by us, come, let us speak from the holy scriptures. So then the blessed Jeremiah said, And it came to pass in the ninth y

 of the Almighty, I will go also and many peoples and many nations shall come to seek the face of the Lord Almighty in Jerusalem and to propitiate the

 unless when the Only-begotten came among us? who is the expectation of the nations to whom also the divine David sings, All the nations you have mad

 the forms of the horses, he added again Behold, those who go forth to the land of the north have quieted my spirit in the land of the north. And the

 the city, that is, the Church. 9Ashkelon shall see and shall be afraid, and Gaza and shall be in great pain, and Ekron, because she was shamed of her

 having broken down the barrier, and creating the two peoples into one new man, making peace, and reconciling both in one Spirit to the Father for

 the blessed David will testify, saying, When you turn away your face, they will be troubled, and to their dust they will return. But since now, that

 having inclined towards every form of wickedness, they were compared to mindless beasts, and were made like them, according to the voice of the psa

 in the blood of the covenant. For we have been redeemed, as his disciple says, not with perishable things, silver or gold, but with the precious blo

 and unavoidable and as it were leaping up and flying with irresistible impulses, the poison, that is, the arrow. Therefore, it is phrased in different

 places it, but on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see 'the light.' And again elsewhere, 'Let your light so shine 'before men, that they may

 For they have become conformed to the choice, cornerstone, and precious stone, which was laid by God the Father for the foundations of Zion and if th

 thus the lovers of learning. For his discourse was about the saints, whom he also called holy stones, and he said that wheat was most fitting for them

 to the knowledge of the truth, and moving from being deceived into a straight path. For just as it was fitting for those who had wronged them to infli

 it has happened that even those from the Maccabees who were martyred have bound on the crown of good repute. And they adduce, as proof of what seems r

 spiritual hosts of wickedness, and conquering without a fight those who opposed the divine proclamations. And from the multitude of the Gentiles there

 of the purpose for the word has much probability for the divine disciples and the heralds of the divine gospels were scattered as it were among many

 for the admirable Paul also clearly names those who have been justified in faith a field. 9And they shall pass through a narrow sea, and shall strik

 the tallest pines, those more conspicuous than others, I mean both the priests and those of the tribe of Judah who were kings from time to time, who,

 divine disciples and the leaders of the churches from time to time, rightly dividing the word of truth, and knowing how to bring the flocks under th

 do the shepherds feed themselves? Do not the shepherds feed the sheep? Behold, you eat the milk and clothe yourselves with the wool and you slaughte

 the good shepherd. But the wretched Jews, although it was necessary to cry out against the hired shepherds, have not done this, but the good shepherd

 decrees, not persuading to sacrifice oxen, nor indeed teaching to adhere to the offerings according to the law but rather having commanded that the p

 you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand by you from morning until evening? Then when Moses said that, for the

 very often to Christ, and finally they brought him to Pilate, saying Away with him, away with him, cruci- 2.462 fy him. And he remembers this also

 furnace, and see if it is approved, in the way that I was approved for them. And they took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them into the house of

 the covenant between Judah and between Israel.9 He said Christ would take two staffs, and so would pasture with them his own sheep, clearly meaning th

 to them for initiation and for accurate knowledge of the mystery concerning himself, both the evangeli- cal instruction and illumination, and indeed a

 elect, those days will be cut short. For the Lord will slay him with the spirit, and will destroy him with the manifestation of His coming. 9O you

 of course, of the one according to the flesh, or rather of the spiritual and of the truly holy Jerusalem, which is the church of the living God. Fo

 eager to transform themselves and having become ministers of diabolical impiety, have killed the saints, calling them to the contests for martyrdom. A

 He names Christ as the one who appeared from the tribe of Judah and his house, the Church, that is, the holy multitude of those justified in faith. B

 to the nations, for thus God has commanded us. From there they sought the citizens of the Church, of which the divine David also makes mention, sayi

 of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart and it has been said somewhere also throu

 God and 2.488 Father has crowned us. For He has given us His own Son as a defender and champion, through whom we have also been saved, easily escaping

 from storehouses, setting before those who love learning what sort of man the divine Paul was, at one time attempting to establish the word concernin

 of the preceding chapter, the phrase And they shall look upon me but it does not agree with the tradition and interpretation of the Seventy. For th

 judges and lawyers and those resplendent with other honors? But since they have behaved insolently toward Christ, they have been given to their enemie

 they themselves said was gushing forth. And it is very likely, and that the purpose of the interpretation of the Seventy tends toward this very thing,

 in this place. And to these things God The prophets, He says, prophesy lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them, nor did I spe

 and from the meaning of the things set forth, it is easy to see. For, as I said, the false-speaking and deceiving ones prophesied in Israel, and were

 2.506 our soul, and all but delivering Him up as a man by the proper will of God the Father, and, as it were, permitting, as I said, that with preciou

 and a path of unrestrained madness. For as the blessed evangelist Matthew says, when Pilate had set before the Jews both Christ and Barabbas, and had

 and their houses will be plundered, and their women will be defiled, and half of the city will go forth into captivity.9 Declaring the revered and sal

 inhabiting it, and accounted as the people of God, numbered with the true. 9And the Lord shall go forth and shall set his battle array against those n

 course. For those who worship the creation rather than the Creator have, as it were, a heart of stone, hard and unyielding, and like rocks that bear n

 proclaiming beforehand the descent from heaven of the Savior of us all, Christ, For the Lord will not cast off his people, and his inheritance he wi

 An outpouring of the Spirit will be distributed to the saints, especially at that time when they might be brought up to a holy and unending life, I me

 in winter and in summer, that is, at all times. It makes no difference to say 'spring' instead of 'winter', according to the writing of the seventy f

 of that which is under heaven ascribing dominion over all. And the most wise Daniel said something of this sort. For recounting the manner of the visi

 thus saying Blessed are those who mourn now, for they shall be comforted. and again Blessed are those who weep now, for you will laugh. Therefor

 falling under terrible judgments, they will be struck down by terrors, and thus finally ceasing to dare to persecute the holy city, they will depart a

 but it is customary for the Greek poets also to call them wilder but those who are like camels in disposition, that is, both uneven and boastful, hav

 ...ing. We have spoken about these things briefly in other places. Therefore, those who go up to worship the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the feast

 a sword, and they shall not learn any more 2.540 to make war, the times of peace almost persuading them to devote their military implements to the n

 He names those who offer sacrifice, but we shall fittingly understand it of the times through Christ and the worship accomplished by us in the Spirit.

 VOLUME ONE. AND it is necessary to say a few things beforehand about the prophecy of Malachi, for the

 to others. And there was a long discourse about this also in the books of Esdras. whence some suppose him to be Malachi. But the truth is not so. And

 of the burning of Jerusalem. And the pretext for their suffering such things was their choosing to depart from genuineness towards God, and to esteem

 our virtue-loving 2.553 God will destroy the inheritance of those accustomed to live thus. For the things upon the earth are not secure, nor indeed do

 The Lord is arrayed for battle for ever. 9A son honors his father, and a servant will fear his master. And if I am a father, where is my honor? And i

 to interpret clearly, come let us say, what then the defiled bread means to signify. It calls defiled, then, that which is polluted and unclean. But i

 having kept the choicest for himself, but thinking to honor God with the second-best. But the God of all did not accept his sacrifices. For He will no

 there being no sacrifice, nor altar, nor priesthood, nor declarations. Therefore, the virtual abandonment of the worship in the Law, and the shuttin

 And they are unwanted by him, or rather that he has no will in them who fulfill the sacrifices in shadows and types, and that he would not accept the

 I would accept the things from you, nor would I reckon as a fragrant aroma such lawless and unclean offerings. Therefore, we ought to sacrifice, and t

 glory to my name, says the Lord Almighty, and I will send upon you the curse, and I will curse your blessing, and I will curse it and I will scatter

 we will hasten to make the clarification of the things set forth, as far as possible. Therefore, since the law commanded that the sacrificial victims

 to God and the Father, and we are at peace with him through obedience and faith. 9And I gave to him to fear me with fear and to stand in awe of my nam

 to men. 9For the lips of a priest shall guard knowledge, and they will seek law from his mouth, because he is a messenger of the Lord Almighty.9 In wh

 2.581 he says, to learn the causes of the wrath that has come upon you, you will hear him saying Because you did not keep my ways but showed partiali

 to his son, and you shall not take his daughter for your son for he will turn your son away from me, and he will go and serve other gods. But they

 worldly delights, let us reject the curse, and let no account 2.586 be made of them, but let us rather hasten to brighten our souls with boasts of obe

 God?9 When God frequently blamed such things, and persuaded them to love women of their own race, but to turn away from foreigners, and to abstain fro

 your thoughts, that is, if an impious and profane pleasure should prevail 2.591 over your thoughts, and the pretense for hating is a vain one, but you

 of the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance wi

 Salem that is, as in a type towards that Church. And he proclaimed his own coming by working wonders in many ways, preaching the gospel of the kingd

 destroying their souls, and being dead in their own sins, because of not choosing to think rightly, and to receive into mind and heart the purificatio

 of Christ, the Savior of us all For one died for all, that they who live should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and wa

 God having care for them for He is good, kind, gentle, and loving to humanity for this reason some were belching forth words from unrestrained faint

 unchangeably that which I am but you, he says, although being descended from Jacob, a man who loved God and was good and always hated wickedness, and

 he says, a man of God, or will he plunder the one who knows all? Why then do you trip me up? But I think it is necessary for a precise clarification o

 for food. But you will understand *I will distinguish* as *I will set apart*, that is, that each of the things that grow from the earth has its own se

 by caterpillars. For he did not yet wish to strike with a mighty hand, but rather, so to speak, to scare them away with terrors and still measured mot

 of yours has been written in heaven.” And the divine David very fittingly curses the people of the Jews who killed Christ, saying thus, “Let them be b

 doing lawless things, they resisted God and were saved, for this reason he says they will be burned up, as having warred against the glory of God, a

 in word and in all knowledge and in all wisdom, we see now in a mirror and in a riddle, and we know in part. But that which is perfect will come i

 almost as if released from the bonds of the affliction and care of this life, and of sweat and toils, they will come out into the gladness that befits

 And indeed, to these things, God says, Rightly all that they have spoken I will raise up for them a Prophet from among their brothers like you, and

Commentarius in xii prophetas minores OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS CYRIL ARCHBISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA, EXEGETICAL COMMENTARY ON THE PROPHET HOSEA

Someone might think it somehow superfluous and ill-advised, and not at all especially necessary for benefit, to attempt to all but dig up again things already said by many, and to add other labors to the labors of those who have gone before; even though theirs are very sufficient to be able to make very clear the writings of the holy prophets; but I would say the matter is not so; far from it. For I will recall Paul exhorting those instructed by him, "To write the same things to you is not tedious for me, but for you it is safe." But consider how true the saying is. For if something necessary for knowledge should be set forth, and then many discourses by many people are made on this very thing, there will be no harm at all; but it would benefit the hearers as much as possible. For if those accustomed to interpret make their discourses agree with one another, a more secure knowledge certainly enters into those eager to hear; but if 1.2 something novel appears in each, and what was perhaps not very clearly discerned correctly and blamelessly by one person should come to the mind of another, what is the harm? Or rather, how is it not better that the presentation of the thoughts becomes richer and clearer? Therefore, even if many have written before us, interpreting the things in the holy prophets, we will not be silent for this reason; but rather we will drive away hesitation as inactive, and the grace which the one who reveals deep and hidden things might grant to us ourselves, this we will make manifest to others as well, remembering Christ who says, "Freely you have received, freely give." Beginning, therefore, the clear interpretation of the blessed prophet Hosea, I will set forth first those things also concerning the writing of the other prophets. For it is the custom for all of them to easily reshape the discourses they make according to what seems good to the Holy Spirit, so that sometimes from history, that is, from sensible things and matters that are, as it were, in plain sight and have happened, they pass easily to the innermost and spiritual things; and at other times, again, to come back down, and very obscurely indeed, to matters of sense; and among them there is also a very great introduction of persons, complaints and exclamations, and the remembrance of things already past, and the foretelling of things to come. It is necessary, therefore, for those who love to judge each thing clearly as far as possible, to observe the order of the thoughts and the difference of the persons; for thus our discourse will surely be clear and unconfused, and free from all difficulty. But I think it necessary to narrate beforehand some of the things that happened to those of the blood of Israel, so that the mind of the readers may not be disturbed, when hearing at one time of Ephraim and Israel and also Samaria, and at another time of Judah and Benjamin; for the mention of such names among the holy prophets is very 1.3 great. In order, therefore, that they may know each thing clearly, let them hear that Solomon, administering his father's kingdom at times in Jerusalem, did indeed build for God that famous and admirable temple; but although he had become very distinguished both for the splendor of his wealth and his abundance of possessions, having come to old age, through his regard for women he offended God. And what the manner of his transgression was, the holy scripture will relate to us; for it runs thus: "And the king took foreign wives, and the daughter of Pharaoh, Moabites, Ammonites, Syrians and Idumaeans, Hittites and Amorites, from the nations of which the Lord forbade the sons

Commentarius in xii prophetas minores ΤΟΥ ΕΝ ΑΓΙΟΙΣ ΠΑΤΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΚΥΡΙΛΛΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΑΛΕ ΞΑΝ∆ΡΕΙΑΣ, ΕΞΗΓΗΣΙΣ ΥΠΟΜΝΗΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΕΙΣ ΤΟΝ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΗΝ ΩΣΗ

ΟΙΗΘΕΙΗ μὲν ἄν τις περιττὸν εἶναί πως καὶ εἰκαιόβουλον. καὶ οὔτι που σφόδρα τῶν ἀναγκαίων εἰς ὄνησιν, καὶ πολλοῖς ἤδη προειρημένα μονονουχὶ καὶ ἀνασκαλεύειν ἐπιχειρεῖν, καὶ τοῖς τῶν προλαβόντων πόνοις ἐπεισφέρειν ἑτέρους· καίτοι καὶ λίαν ἀποχρώντως ἐχόντων ἐκείνων εἴς γε τὸ δύνασθαι διατρανοῦν εὖ μάλα τὰς τῶν ἁγίων προ- φητῶν συγγραφάς· ἐγὼ δὲ τὸ χρῆμα φαίην ἂν οὐχ ὧδε ἔχειν· πολλοῦ τε καὶ δεῖ. μεμνήσομαι γὰρ ἐπιφωνοῦντος τοῦ Παύλου τοῖς παρ' αὐτοῦ μυσταγωγουμένοις "Τὰ αὐτὰ "λέγειν ὑμῖν, ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐκ ὀκνηρὸν, ὑμῖν δὲ ἀσφαλές." Ἄθρει δὲ ὅπως ἐστὶν ἀληθὴς ὁ λόγος. εἰ γάρ τι προκέοιτο τῶν ἀναγκαίων εἰς εἴδησιν, εἶτα πολλοὶ καὶ παρὰ πολλῶν ἐπ' αὐτῷ δὴ τούτῳ γένοιντο λόγοι, βλάβος μὲν ἔσται τὸ σύμπαν οὐδέν· ὀνήσειε δ' ἂν ὅτι μάλιστά γε τοῖς ἀκρο- ωμένοις. εἰ μὲν γὰρ ἀλλήλοις συμβαίνοντας ποιοῖντο τοὺς λόγους οἱ διερμηνεύειν εἰωθότες, ἀσφαλεστέρα που πάντως τοῖς φιλακροάμοσιν εἰσκρίνεται γνῶσις· εἰ δὲ δή τι φαί- 1.2 νοιτο τὸ ἐφ' ἑκάστῳ καινοπρεπὲς καὶ τὸ τῷ δεῖνι τυχὸν οὐ σφόδρα διεγνωσμένον ὀρθῶς καὶ ἀνεπιλήπτως, εἰ ἐπὶ νοῦν ἥκοι τὸν ἑτέρου, τί τὸ λυποῦν; μᾶλλον δὲ, πῶς οὐκ ἄμεινον ἀμφιλαφῆ καὶ εὐκρινεστέραν τὴν τῶν νοημάτων γίνεσθαι παράθεσιν; οὐκοῦν, κἂν εἰ πολλοὶ γεγράφασι πρὸ ἡμῶν, τὰ ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις προφήταις διερμηνεύοντες, οὐχὶ ταύτης ἕνεκεν τῆς αἰτίας σιωπήσομεν· διωσόμεθα δὲ μᾶλλον ὡς ἀδρανῆ τὸν ὄκνον, καὶ ἥνπερ ἂν καὶ ἡμῖν αὐτοῖς ἐπιδοίη χάριν ὁ ἀποκαλύπτων βαθέα καὶ ἀπόκρυφα, ταύτην καὶ ἑτέροις φανερὰν καταστήσομεν, μεμνημένοι λέγοντος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, "∆ωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε." Ἀρχόμενος τοίνυν τῆς εἰς τὸν μακάριον προφήτην Ὠσηὲ σαφοῦς ἑρμηνείας, ἐκεῖνα προεκθήσομαι καὶ περὶ τῆς τῶν ἄλλων προφητῶν συγγραφῆς. ἔθος γὰρ ἅπασιν, οὓς ἂν ἕκαστοι ποιοῖντο λόγους μεταπλάττειν εὐκόλως ἐπὶ τὸ δοκοῦν τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, ὥς ποτε μὲν ἐκ τῆς ἱστορίας, ἤτοι τῶν αἰσθητῶν καὶ οἱονεί πως ἐν ὄψει κειμένων καὶ γεγονότων πραγμάτων, ἀναφοιτᾶν εὐκόλως εἰς τὰ ἐσώτατα καὶ πνευματικά· ὅτε δὲ αὖ καθικνεῖσθαι πάλιν, καὶ πολὺ δὴ λίαν ἀσυμφανῶς, ἐπὶ τὰ ἐν αἰσθήσει πράγματα· πλείστη δὲ ὅση παρ' αὐτοῖς καὶ ἡ τῶν προσώπων ἐπεισφορὰ, σχετ- λιασμοί τε καὶ ἀναφωνήσεις, καὶ τῶν ἤδη παρῳχηκότων ἡ μνήμη, καὶ τῶν ἐσομένων προάγγελσις. δεῖ δὴ οὖν ἕκαστα σαφῶς φιλοκρινοῦντας ὡς ἔνι, τὴν τῶν νοημάτων τάξιν καὶ τὴν τῶν προσώπων διαφορὰν ἀναγκαίως ἐπιτηρεῖν· σαφὴς γὰρ οὕτως ἡμῖν καὶ ἀσύγχυτος, καὶ δυσχερείας ἁπάσης ἀπηλλαγμένος ἔσται που πάντως ὁ λόγος. χρῆναι δὲ ὑπο- λαμβάνω, προαφηγήσασθαί τινα τῶν συμβεβηκότων τοῖς ἐξ αἵματος Ἰσραὴλ, ἵνα μὴ ταράττοιτο τῶν ἐντευξομένων ὁ νοῦς, ποτὲ μὲν ἀκούων Ἐφραὶμ καὶ Ἰσραὴλ καὶ μέν τοι καὶ Σαμάρειαν, Ἰούδαν τε αὖ καὶ Βενιαμῖν· πλείστη γὰρ ὅση 1.3 τῶν τοιούτων ὀνομάτων παρὰ τοῖς ἁγίοις προφήταις ἡ μνήμη. Ἵνα τοίνυν εἰδεῖεν ἕκαστα σαφῶς, ἀκουόντων ὅτι τὴν τοῦ πατρὸς βασιλείαν περιέπων κατὰ καιροὺς ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ὁ Σολομῶν, ἀνεδείματο μὲν τῷ Θεῷ τὸν δια- βόητον ἐκεῖνον καὶ ἀξιάγαστον νεών· ἀλλὰ καίτοι λίαν γεγονὼς διαπρεπὴς διά τε πλούτου λαμπρότητα καὶ περιου- σίαν χρημάτων, εἰς γῆρας ἐληλακὼς, διά τοι τὴν εἰς γυναῖ- κας αἰδῶ προσκέκρουκε τῷ Θεῶ. καὶ ποῖος αὐτῷ γέγονε πλημμελείας ὁ τρόπος, τὸ ἱερὸν ἡμῖν ἀφηγήσεται γράμμα· ἔχει γὰρ οὕτως "Καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔλαβε γυναῖκας ἀλλοτρίας, "καὶ τὴν θυγατέρα Φαραὼ, Μωαβίτιδας, Ἀμμανίτιδας, Σύ- "ρας καὶ Ἰδουμαίας, Χετταίας καὶ Ἀμοῤῥαίας, ἐκ τῶν ἐθνῶν "ὧν ἀπεῖπε Κύριος τοῖς υἱοῖς