Sanctify you a fast - He does not say only, “proclaim,” or “appoint a fast,” but “sanctify it.” Hallow the act of abstinence, seasoning it w…

A solemn assembly. —The Hebrew word strictly means a festival day, on which the people gathered together, being relieved from work…

Now the Prophet begins to exhort the people to repentance. Having represented them as grievously afflicted by the hand of God, he now adds that a r…

Sanctify a fast This is spoken to the priests, whose business it was to appoint a fast, as the Targum renders it; or to set apart a…

The sorrow of the people is turned into repentance and humiliation before God. With all the marks of sorrow and shame, sin must be confe ed and lam…