Exo 20:3-5, 32:1-4, 1Sa 5:4-5, 2Ki 17:33, 41, Eze 20:39, 43:8, Dan 5:4, 23 | TSK

of Dagon.The name of this idol, Dagon, signifies a fish: and it is supposed to be the Atergatis of the Syrians, corruptly called Derceto by the Greeks, which had the upper part like a woman, and the lower part like a fish; as Lucian informs us: [Derketous de eidos en Phoinike etheésamén, theéma xenon; émisen men gyné; to de okoson ek mérón es akrous podas, ichtlyos ouré apoteinetai;] "In Phoenicia I saw the image of Derceto; a strange sight truly! For she had the half of a woman, but from the thighs downward a fish's tail." Diodorus, (1. ii.) describing the same idol, as represented at Askelon, says, [to men prosópon echei synaikos, to d'allo sóma pan ichthyos.] "It had the head of a woman, but all the rest of the body a fish's." Probably Horace alludes to this idol, in De Art. Poet. v. 4; {Desinat in piscem, mulier formosa superne:} "The upper part a handsome woman, and the lower part a fish." If such was the form of this idol, then everything that was human was broken off from what resembled a fish.

the stump. or, the fishy part.

neither.

Ps 115:4-7; 135:15-18

tread.

Jos 5:15; Zep 1:9

2 Kings 17:33

They feared.

41; 1Ki 18:21; Ho 10:2; Zep 1:5; Mt 6:24; Lu 16:13

whom they carried, etc. or, who carried them away fromthence. The new inhabitants of the land imitated the idolatrous Israelites, by associating their idols with Jehovah, as the objects of worship. The remainder, however, of the verses seem to relate to the Israelites after they were carried captive. They still persevered in idolatry and disobedience; and not being purified, were left to be consumed in the furnace. It is said that the Israelites "did not fear the Lord," yet the heathens, who followed their example, are said "to have feared the Lord." The Israelites did not so much as fear the wrath of Almighty God; but, on the other hand, the poor pagans feared the power of his wrath, and to avert it paid some ignorant worship, according to the wretched instructions given them. As this was an external acknowledgement of his power and Godhead, and a homage paid to him,he was pleased in consequence to withdraw his judgements from them.--SCOTT