Francis Patrick Kenrick

A country so called from a descendant of Ismael. St Jerome states, that it is the country of the Saracens, who in Scripture are called Ismaelites. u The chief people of Arabia Petrea. The rams themselves are spoken of as if offering themselves for victims. The country was chiefly used for sheep walks. St Jerome says, that the nations bordering on the Israelites are named by way of example, to intimate the conversion of the whole world. n The meaning is: " Offered upon My altar acceptably." u The prophet contemplates numbers coming towards the Church, like clouds darkening the air, and as doves at the opening of their dove-cotes.