| II Maccabees 3:19
| And the women, girded with haircloth about their breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, came forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.
| Shut up. Hence they were styled alamoth, "hidden," till they were married. Nothing could give a better idea of the distress of the city. (Calmet) --- These virgins remained in places near the temple, spending their time in prayer, fasting, and works of piety, till they were espoused, 1 Kings 2:22. (St. Ambrose, virg. 1.; St. Nys.[St. Gregory of Nyssa?] or Nativ.; St. Damas[St. John Damascene?] 4:13.) (Worthington) --- There also pious widows dwelt. --- Walls of the temple, which they were not allowed to pass. (Menochius) --- The city seemed to be taken by an enemy. (Calmet)
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