He gave his life to deliver his people, and to get himself an everlasting name.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 44. Name. This motive has made some condemn the exploit. But surely a person may seek to acquire fame, even by exposing himself to danger. Eleazar might well hope that the beast would not fall so suddenly. The other motive specified is truly noble and virtuous, and we cannot condemn this hero without stronger proofs. Saint Gregory (Mor. xix. 13.) represents him as a figure of the proud: but he might not therefore be one of the number, ( Calmet.) no more than Esau, who was a type of the reprobate. Malachi 1:3. Bible.—Saint Ambrose (Off. i. 40.) highly commends the fortitude of this soldier exposing himself to the danger of death for a religion. Worthington.—This is the general sentiment. See Serar. Menochius. Tirinus. Grot. jure. iii. 4. a. 18.