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To what purpose? an interrogation of expostulation and contempt, wherein God by the prophet meets with their hypocrisy, who pleased themselves with their outward oblations and sacrifices, and thought God would be pleased with them too; but he tells them plainly they are to no purpose; as he speaks particularly in the close of the verse, Jer_7:21,22 Eze 20:39.
Incense from Sheba: that this was the product of Sheba, a country in Arabia Felix, to which country frankincense was peculiar, See Poole "Isa_60:6". The sweet cane, or, cane, i.e. good, or the best cane; the article h hath the force of a superlative, for cane that is good; the Hebrews have no degrees of comparison; the same that is mentioned as an ingredient in the holy oil, Exo_30:23. See Isa_43:24.
From a far country; not that it was brought from the remotest parts of the world, as from India, as some; for it was known to the Jews in Moses’s time, Exo_30:23; but because it grew not in their own land, but was fetched or brought to them from Sheba, Isa_60:6, where it did grow, as Diodorus testifies, lib. 3. p. 125, and Strabo, lib. 16; 1Ki_10:2, compared with Joe_3:8; who is called the queen of the south, and to come from the uttermost parts of the earth, Mat_12:42, because the South Sea did bound the country. To what purpose art thou at this trouble and charge to fetch these ingredients for thy incense?
Are not acceptable; not likely to atone me; they will not be for acceptance; I cannot take delight in them, Hos_9:4, as the next expression: q.d. Away with these childish trifles, whereby you think to pacify me. By these species he understands the whole legal worship.