Verse 1
THE SECOND WOE.
As the preceding chapter began with “the garlanded summit of Samaria,” so this opens with Ariel.
1. Woe to Ariel, to Ariel Referring to Jerusalem, of course, but may mean, “Lion of God,” (1 Chronicles 11:22,) or God’s champion, (2 Samuel xxiii, 20;) or, it may mean, “Altar-fire-hearth;” (Ezekiel 43:15-16,) a tropical name, as Bochart supposes, ( Hierozoicon,) because the altar devours sacrifices as the lion devours its prey. Gesenius finds the meaning of “fire-hearth” in the Arabic cognate word for lion. Delitzsch decides for this meaning, and the Chaldee paraphrase renders the repeated word, “O altar! altar!” Jerusalem is the place where altar fires are ceaselessly burning, and a woe is pronounced upon her, at least for a period.
Add ye year to year One year to another; that is, go on heartlessly in your yearly sacrifices if ye will. Such dead formality is cause sufficient for a fearful visitation.
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