Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
When he raiseth up himself - When he rouses himself for an attack or in self-defense.
The mighty are afraid - The Vulgate renders this "anqels." The meaning is, that he produces alarm on those who are unaccustomed to fear.
By reason of breakings they purify themselves - This, though a literal translation, conveys no very clear idea, and this rendering is not necessary. The word rendered "breakings" ( ׁ sheber ) means properly "a breaking, breach, puncture" ; "a breaking down, destruction" ; and then it may mean "a breaking down of the mind, that is, terror." This is evidently the meaning here. "By reason of the prostration of their courage, or the crushing of the mind by alarm." The word rendered "purify themselves" ( châṭâ' ) means in the Qal, "to miss," as a mark; "to sin; to err." In the form of Hithpael, which occurs here, it means to miss one' s way; "to lose oneself;" and it may refer to the astonishment and terror by which one is led to miss his way in precipitate flight. "Gesenius." The meaning then is, "They lose themselves from terror." They know not where to turn themselves; they flee away with alarm; see Rosenmuller in loc .
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