George Leo Haydock
Catholic
1774–1849
“Spring. Greek and Syriac intimate that the Ammonites and Moabites, with 5,000 Assyrian infantry, guarded the springs: the rest of the army, according to the old Vulgate, was stationed in the plain. Greek and Syriac specify over-against Dothaim, which seems too remote; (Calmet) though such an immense army might cover a great part of the country, as all would not be necessary to besiege Bethulia; and it was agreed only to blockade the place, in order that no men might be lost, and the army might be ready to march against the more distant and powerful nations of Egypt. Another detachment was (Haydock) “southward, at Ecrebel, (Syriac Ekarbat, probably Akrabim, the ascent of the scorpions) near Cush, (or Arabia) which is above the torrent Mochmur, (Syriac Peor, or Bezor; Calmet) and the rest of the army of the Assyrians encamped in the plain, and covered the face of the earth.” (Haydock)”