The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.
Ver. 20. The breath, of our nostrils.] King Zedekiah, in whose downfall we drew, as it were, our last breath. The Chaldee paraphrast understandeth it of Josiah, with whom, indeed, died all the prosperity of the Jews as with Epaminondas did that of the Thebans, and with Theodosius that of the Western Empire.
The anointed of the Lord.] Who yet, for his perfidy, was vilely cast away like Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. 2Sa 1:21
Was taken in their pits.] A term taken from hunters (Ezekiel 12:13; see Lam 4:20 Jer 52:8).
Under his shadow.] As the chickens do under the hen's.