The explanation is given in ver. 8, where the [Hebrew: ble] is
intentionally resumed. We cannot, therefore, agree with _Drechsler_ who
explains the being "covered," by "dullness and deadness in reference to
spiritual things."--The first part of ver. 8 is again resumed in Rev.
vii. 17, xxi. 4. As death entered into the world by sin (Gen. ii. 17;
Rom. v. 12), [Pg 153] so it ceases when sin is completely overcome;
compare 1 Cor. xv. 54, where our passage is expressly quoted. Besides
death, _tears_ also are mentioned, inasmuch as they flow with special
bitterness in the case of bereavements by death.--The Lord removes the
rebuke of His people when all their hopes, which formerly were mocked
and laughed at, are fulfilled, and when, out of the midst of them,
salvation for the whole world rises.

With the people of God in their exaltation, Moab is, in vers. 9-12,
contrasted in its weakness and humiliation, and in its vain attempts to
withdraw from the supremacy of the God of Israel. Moab comes here into
consideration, only as the representative of all the kingdoms hostile
to God, and obstinately persevering in their opposition to His Kingdom;
just as Edom in chap. xxxiv., lxiii. The representative character of
Moab was recognized by _Gesenius_ also, who thus determines the sense:
"Whilst Jehovah's protecting hand rests upon Zion, His enemies
helplessly perish." It is intentionally that Moab is mentioned, and not
Asshur or Babel, because, in its case, the representative character
could not so easily be mistaken or overlooked.--Ver. 12 returns to the
world's power in general.

In chap. xxvi., the rejoicing and shouting for the salvation are
continued. A characteristic Messianic feature is contained in ver. 19
only, in which, as in chap. xxv. 8, the ceasing of death and the
resurrection of the righteous appear as taking place in the Messianic
time.

Ver. 19. "_Thy dead shall live, my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and
sing, ye that dwell in dust! For a dew of light is thy dew, and thou
makest fall to the earth the giants._"

The saints are raised from the earth; the giants are sunk into the
earth. The [Hebrew: rpaiM] "giants" are identical with the [Hebrew:
iwbi tbl] in ver. 18. There it was said in reference to the time of
wrath: "We have not wrought any deliverance in the land, neither have
the inhabitants of the world fallen;" compare vers. 9 and 21; Numb.
xiv. 32. Parallel is the announcement of the defeat of the world's