What mean ye [that] ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Ver. 15. What mean you, that you beat my people to pieces?] Heb., What to you? all in a word, short and sharp - q.d., What reason had you, what authority to do thus? That was a witty answer that was given once here to the Pope's exactor, who pleaded that all churches were his, and therefore he might call for what sums he pleased; a nimble disputant replied that all churches were the Pope's in a sense, viz., Tuitione sed non fruitione; defensione, non dissipatione - i.e., to defend them, but not to destroy them. If God give any man power, it is for "edification, and not for destruction." 2Co 13:10
And grind the faces.] Holding their noses to the grindstone, as we say - by hard usage. See on Micah 3:3 .
Saith the Lord God.] Dixit Dominator Dominus; he who is higher than the highest, and being Lord of hosts, hath those at hand that are higher than they. Ecc 5:8