And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.
Ver. 11. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients.] The whole Sanhedrim, or great council, haply. Councils may err, and have done often. The ill example of these ancients was very attractive. Magnates magnetes.
Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan.] A chieftain among them, and haply president of the council, whom they called Nasi, or prince. His father Shaphan was scribe in Josiah's days, as some think. 2Ki 22:12
And a thick cloud of incense went up.] Abundantia nubis. Papists to this day cense their images; Semel singulis thuributum ducat sacerdos, saith the Roman mass book. The primitive Christians were pressed by their persecutors to throw at least a little frankincense into the fire; which, when Origen and Marcellinus did, through infirmity of the flesh, they were cast out of the hearts of good people, and branded with the name of Thurificati i.e., Incensed persons.