The reproof is given in the form of questions, in order to rouse the sleeping conscience of the people. Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked? Do the wicked still continue to bring into their houses treasures obtained by wrong?
The old versions compare this ill-gotten wealth to a fire which shall consume the homes of its possessors. Septuagint, ΄ὴ πῦρ καὶ οἶκος ἀνόμου θησαυρίζω θησαυρουμους; "Is there fire and the house of the wicked treasuring up wicked treasures?"
Vulgate, Adhuc ignis in domo impii thesauri iniquitatis? So the Syriac; the Chaldee keeps to the Masoretic reading. The scant measure; literally, the ephah of leanness. The ephah was about three pecks.
According to Josephus ('Ant.,' 15.9. 2), it contained one Attic medimnus, which would be nearly a bushel and a half. Fraudulent weights and measures are often denounced (Le 19:35, etc.; Deuteronomy 25:14, etc.
; Proverbs 20:10, Proverbs 20:23; Amos 8:5). Vulgate, Mensura minor irae plena, where the Hebrew has, that is abominable. Such frauds are hateful to God, and are marked with his wrath.