Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 79:3
Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].
3. like water ] Freely, and as though it were of little worth. Contrast Psa 116:15.
none to bury them] Cp. Jer 14:16. This passage is quoted freely in 1Ma 7:17 with reference to the murder of certain Assideans by the high priest Alcimus, “He took of them threescore men and slew them in one day, according to the words which one wrote, The flesh of thy saints and their blood did they shed round about Jerusalem, and they had none to bury them.” Clearly the meaning cannot be that the Psalm was written with reference to that event, for by that time (b.c. 162) the situation of affairs was wholly different from that described in the Psalm. Judas had won many victories, and the Temple had been re-dedicated. Moreover the Psalm implies a much more extensive slaughter of Israelites, and that by heathen, not by a treacherous Israelite. There is probably another reminiscence of Psa 79:3 in 1Ma 1:37 , “They shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem – They have poured it out in such quantities that it seems to flow like water – not an uncommon occurrence in war. There was no event in the history of the Hebrews to which this description would be more applicable than to the Babylonian invasion. The language might indeed be applicable to the desolation of the city by Antiochus Epiphanes, and also to its destruction by the Romans; but, of course, it cannot refer to the latter, and there is no necessity for supposing that it refers to the former. All the conditions of a proper interpretation are fulfilled by supposing that it refers to the time of the Chaldean invasion.
And there was none to bury them – The Chaldeans would not do it, and they would not suffer the Hebrew people to do it.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. There was none to bury them.] The Chaldeans would not; and the Jews who were not slain were carried into captivity.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Like water; plentifully and contemptuously, valuing it no more than common water.
None to bury them, because their friends, who should have done it, were either slain or fled, or were not permitted, or durst not undertake, to perform that office to them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem,…. Without any concern of mind, or remorse of conscience; without any fear of God or man; as if it had been so much water only; and this they shed in great abundance: from the Apocrypha:
“And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.” (1 Maccabees 1:24)
“And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.” (1 Maccabees 1:30)
“Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:” (1 Maccabees 1:37)
“So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.” (1 Maccabees 2:38)
in like manner the blood of the saints has been shed by the antichristian beast of Rome, for which he and his followers will be righteously retaliated, Re 17:6
and there was none to bury them: either the number of the slain was so great, that there were not left enough to bury the dead, or they that did remain were not suffered to do it; this will be the case of the two witnesses, when slain, Re 11:7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) Their blood.In 1Ma. 7:17, we read The flesh of thy saints and their blood have they shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them, introduced by according to the word which he wrote. This is evidently a free quotation from this psalm, and seems to imply a reference to a contemporary.
None to bury.For this aggravation of the evil comp. Jer. 14:16; Jer. 22:18-19.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 79:3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].
Ver. 3. Their blood have they shed like water ] Contemptim vel abiecte. They made no more reckoning of it than of ditch water; and were ready to say, as Hannibal did when he saw a ditch full of men’s blood, O formosum spectaculum! O beautiful sight!
And there was none to bury them
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
shed = poured out. Compare same word in Psa 79:6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 79:3
Psa 79:3
“Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem;
And there was none to bury them.”
“There is no event in the history of the Hebrews to which this description would be more applicable than to the Babylonian invasion.” With most of the population being carried into captivity, there would have been no one left to bury the thousands of the slain.
“This whole verse happens to be quoted in 1Ma 7:17; but priority in point of time obviously belongs to this psalm
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 79:3. Bloodshed was so great that it was compared to the flowing water as an illustration of emphasis.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Their: Psa 79:10, Mat 23:35, Rom 8:36, Rev 16:6, Rev 17:6, Rev 18:24
and there: etc. Either there was no friend or relation left to bury them, or none was allowed to perform this last sad office. The despotism of eastern princes often proceeds to such a degree of extravagance as to fill the mind with astonishment and horror. In Morocco, no person dares to bury the body of a malefactor without an order from the emperor; and Windus, speaking of a man who was to have been sawn in two, informs us, that “his body must have remained to be eaten by the dogs, if the emperor had not pardoned him.” Psa 141:7, Jer 8:1, Jer 8:2, Jer 14:16, Jer 15:3, Jer 16:4, Jer 25:33, Jer 34:20, Rev 11:9
Reciprocal: Gen 50:5 – bury me 2Sa 14:14 – as water 2Ch 36:17 – who slew Psa 44:22 – killed Psa 94:5 – break Jer 7:33 – General Jer 19:7 – and their Eze 16:38 – shed Eze 23:32 – thou shalt be Eze 32:4 – General Zep 1:17 – they shall Rev 11:8 – their dead
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
79:3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to {c} bury [them].
(c) Their friends and relatives did not dare to bury them for fear of the enemies.