Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Ruler. Or king of the feast, alluding to an ancient custom. Esther 1:8. Calmet.—Nec regna vini sortiere talis. Hor. Athen. Dipn. Plut. Symp. i. q. 14.—Humility is most requisite for those in power, and it is most difficult to contemn vain honours, when enjoyed. Saint Gregory pastor. Worthington.
Verse 3. Contribution, towards the feast, ( Menochius.) or company. This sentence is not in Greek “rejoice on their account, and for the excellent disposition, mayst receive a corner.” Bible.
Verse 5. Music. Which usually accompanied the meals of the rich. Hor. ii. ode 11.—“A lyre is handed round, on which each one plays. When Themistocles confessed that he knew not how, he was deemed deficient.” indoctior. Tusc. i. Quint. i.
Verse 6. Words. Some Greek copies have, “where there is a concert, pour,” and so forth Calmet.—And be. Greek “and utter not wise sayings out of season.”
Verse 7. Wine was not used at all meals. Calmet.—After they were ended, the pagans sung in honour of Bacchus, or of great mane. Plut. Sym.—But the Jews directed their hymns to God. Matthew 26:30. Philo, Contemp.
Verse 9. Hear. Greek (10.) “young man speak if there be wanted of thee; scarcely twice if thou be asked. Sum up thy speech, much in few words. Be knowing and still silent. (11.) In the,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 13. Thee. Greek implies to be equal. Calmet.
Verse 14. Storm. Lit. “hail.” Greek “thunder.” Bible.—It comes forth at the same time as the lightning, but travels slower. Calmet.—For. Greek (15.) “at,” and so forth Bible.—Young people must leave the table, and take recreation.
Verse 17. Bless. This is taught by the light of reason, (Calmet. 5:7) and the omission before or after meals betrays a want of faith and gratitude, particularly in Christians.—Replenisheth. Greek “inebriateth thee with his goods.” Bible.
Verse 20. Light. They shall advance in virtue and glory. Proverbs 4:18. Calmet.
Verse 21. Excuse. Lit. “comparison.” “He will bend the law to his desires.” Thus heretics interpret Scripture. Bible.—Greek “he will find condemnation.”
Verse 24. Without counsel; or “by himself,” ( Calmet.) cum eo.—And. Greek “do nothing without counsel, and in acting do not repent,” ( Bible.) but execute what has been prudently devised. Calmet.—God directs; yet he would have us to ask advice. Worthington.
Verse 25. Rugged way. The end of which is unknown. Lu. 14:28. Calmet.—Lest. Greek “and keep a guard over thy children. In every good work confide in thy soul; for,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 27. In faith. That is, follow sincerely thy soul in her faith and conscience, ( Challoner.) when it is well informed. Greek “in every good work believe thy soul; for,” and so forth Calmet.—Act not in opposition to it. Worthington.—Rondet and Grotius would read, “in every work believe in God with all thy soul.”—All that is not of faith is sin, (Romans 14:23) inasmuch as it is against conscience. Bible.