Chapter 44 – FAMILIA MUNDIAL
1 [2] The darling: see note on ⇒ Deut 32:15; cf also ⇒ Deut 33:5, ⇒ 26.
2 [5] Write on his hand: an allusion to the Babylonian custom of tatooing the owner’s name on the hand of his slave; cf also ⇒ Rev 13:16.
3 [8] Rock: place of refuge; said of God in ⇒ Deut 32:4, ⇒ 18; ⇒ 1 Sam 2:2; etc.
4 [9-20] Satire on the makers and worshipers of idols.
5 [20] Chasing ashes: exerting efforts in vain; cf ⇒ Hosea 12:2; ⇒ Eccl 1:14; ⇒ 2:11, ⇒ 17.
6 [28] Cyrus: king of Persia (559-529 B.C.) and conqueror of Babylon (538 B.C.), who liberated the Jews, permitting them to return to their native land and to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.