Notes, Critical and Explanatory, on the Holy Scriptures

This showed his confidence that the people would return, and once more possess their lands. Floras relates that while Hannibal laid siege to Rome, the land which was occupied by his camp, was put up to sale in the city, and purchased : so great was the confidence entertained that it would soon be recovered from the enemy. L. 2, c. 0.

"Great is the clemency of the Creator, who extends Ilia mercy to a thousand generations, and in the second generation shows His justice promptly, which, however, is tempered with mercy. For He does not at once punish the sinner, but awaits his repentance, so that when children imitate the vices of their parents, the punishment, which was long deferred, is inflicted." St Jerome.