For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts [is] his name.
Ver. 2. For they call themselves of the holy city.] Inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah; yea, they swore by their city and temple, as appeareth in the gospel, and cried out, ad ravim usque, "The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord," Jer 7:4 like as the Romists now do, The Church, the Church, glorying in the false and empty title of Roman Catholics. Sed grande est Christianum esse, non dici, saith Jerome; and it is a great vanity, saith the poet,
“ Respicere ad fumos et nomina vana Catonum. ”
And stay themselves.] As far as a few good words will go. See on Micah 3:11 .
The Lord of hosts is his name.] So said these hypocrites, bearing themselves bold upon so great a God, who had all creatures at his command.