John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen , etc.] By which are designed the princes, nobles, and magistrates of the land: so the Targum interprets them of kings and princes; (see Na 2:3 Ezekiel 31:3): because all the mighty are spoiled ; which is an explanation of the figurative expressions in the former clause, and in the following; and designs rich men, as the Targum paraphrases it, who at this time would be spoiled of their wealth and substance. Howl, O ye oaks of Bashan ; which the Targum interprets of governors of provinces; and men of power and authority are doubtless intended; (see Isaiah 2:13 Amos 2:9): for the forest of the vintage is come down ; or rather, “the fortified forest”; meaning the city of Jerusalem, which was a fortified place, and like a forest full of trees, for number of inhabitants, but now cut down and destroyed; (see Isaiah 10:16-19).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - In figurative expressions, that destruction of Jerusalem, and of the Jewish church and nation, is foretold, which our Lord Jesus, when the time was at hand, prophesied plainly and expressly. How can the fi trees stand, if the cedars fall? The falls of the wise and good int sin, and the falls of the rich and great into trouble, are loud alarm to those every way their inferiors. It is sad with a people, when thos who should be as shepherds to them, are as young lions. The pride of Jordan was the thickets on the banks; and when the river overflowed the banks, the lions came up from them roaring. Thus the doom of Jerusale may alarm other churches.
Original Hebrew הילל3213 ברושׁ1265 כי3588 נפל5307 ארז730 אשׁר834 אדרים117 שׁדדו7703 הילילו3213 אלוני437 בשׁן1316 כי3588 ירד3381 יער3293 הבצור׃1219
