Chapter 17 – FAMILIA MUNDIAL
1 [1] Damascus: capital of Syria, destroyed in 732 B.C.
2 [3] Ephraim: Israel, leagued with Syria against Assyria and Judah; destroyed in 721 B.C. Aram: Syria.
3 [5] Valley of Rephaim: a fertile plain to the southwest of Jerusalem; cf Joshua 15:8; ⇒ 2 Sam 5:18.
4 [6] Olives not easily picked by hand were knocked from the tree by means of a long stick; cf ⇒ Isaiah 24:13.
5 [8] Sacred poles: see note on ⇒ Exodus 34:13. Incense stands: small altars on which incense was burned in idolatrous worship; cf ⇒ Isaiah 27:9; ⇒ Lev 26:30.
6 [10] Pagan plants: literally «plants of delights,» understood by some as planted in honor of the god of fertility.
7 [12-13] Many peoples: the hordes that accompanied the invading Assyrians, whom God repels just as he vanquished the primeval waters of chaos; see notes on ⇒ Job 3:8; ⇒ 7:12; ⇒ Psalm 89:10.