And the people shall be [as] the burnings of lime: [as] thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
Ver. 12. And the people shall be as the burning of lime.] As hard chalk stones, which, when burnt to make lime crumble to crattle.
As thorns cut up.] Sear thorns, that crackle under a pot, and are soon extinct. The Hebrews tell us that the Assyrian soldiers were burned by the angel with a secret fire - that is, with the pestilence, as Berosus, cited by Josephus, a witnesseth; and our prophet hinteth as much in many passages.
a Lib. x. cap. 2.