as a second accusing question, following up on the question of verse 25 and asking whether in those golden days of the past Israel carried about with them the idolatrous emblems that violate their present relationship to God (Wolff). The implied answer to both of the questions is ‘no’. And thus Israel is forced to acknowledge the necessity of the judgment promised in verse 27. Fifth, the translation of verse 26 needs attention. How are we to understand the Heb. sikkût malkĕkem? We can repoint the