And it shall come to pass, [that] instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; [and] burning instead of beauty.
Ver. 24. And there shall be instead of sweet smell, stink.] Ex illuvie et sordibus captivitatis et carceris. Martial and Marcellinus tell us of a natural stench the Jews have, such as made the Emperor Aurelius, coming among some of them, and annoyed with their ill savour, to cry out, O Marcomanni, O Quadi, O Sarmatae, &c., O Marcomans, Quades, and Sarmatians, at length I have met with those that are more nasty and loathsome than you are. a These dainty dames are threatened with dirty doings in captivity and prison, such as should render them odious.
And instead of a girdle, a rent.] Or, Rags; or, a beating. The Vulgate rendereth it a cord.
And instead of well set hair.] Heb., Work of even or smooth setting, or trimming, Tριχολασται, or hair trimmers, were anciently noted for effeminate. Pompey is taxed in history for that he did unico digitulo caput scalpere, scratch his well set hair with his little finger only.
Baldness.] Pro crispanti crine calvitium, et pro fascia pectorali cilicium. Pride is so hateful to God that such as are guilty of it seldom escape his visible vengeance.
And burning instead of beauty.] Burning; that is, sun burning.
a Ammian. lib. ii.