Matthew Poole and continuators on Habakkuk 3:17

17 Although the fig-tree shall not blossom , neither shall fruit be in the vines , the labour of the olive shall fail ? and the fields shall yield no meat , the flock shall be cut off from the fold , and there shall be no heard in the stall.

To War foreseen the Prophet suppose[illegible: 1 letter]h Famine, and describeth the most grievous, as indeed it fell out.

Which was in that Country a very considerable part of their Provision to live upon;

Not give the least sign of bringing forth fruit,

which were also the Riches, and Provision of those Countreys,

Either labour bestowed upon the Olive, or the Fruit which the Olive brings forth, called here labour by an allusion to our labour.

Disappoint the expectation of both dresser and eater,

ploughed and sown

Corn for Bread.

Of Sheep kept out in the field.

Either by Wolf, Murrain, or by the wasting Babylonians,

where they were wont to be safe; now are in greatest danger, and that because they may be swept away all at once.

Greater Cattel kept in the stall for labour, or for feeding.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. lit.