Sirach
Verse 1. Have. He has pointed out the conditions for prayer, and now he gives a model. The Jews were at this time dispersed and subservient to the Egyptians or Syrians, which greatly afflicted them. Calmet.—And shew. Greek (2.) “send.”
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 36
Historical chapter commentary
Sirach
Verse 2. That. Greek Rom. omits the rest. But Grabe retains, “all nations which seek not after thee.” Bible.—This prayer implies a prediction of the Gentiles’ conversion, as the psalms do frequently in like terms. Psalms 64. Worthington.
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Verse 4. Sanctified, by chastising us, or by protecting our fathers in the desert.
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Verse 10. End of our sufferings. The malice of our enemies is at the height.
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Verse 11. Escapeth the sword. Deuteronomy 32:36. He foretells the event, or wishes that they may be chastised, in order that they may enter into themselves, and adore the true God.
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Verse 12. Other lord. The Syrian and Egyptian monarchs sometimes claimed divine honours. Daniel 7:25 and 11:36. Calmet.
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Verse 13. That. Greek transposes the rest, and has only, and thou, and so forth Bible.
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Verse 14. First-born. Exodus 4:22. Wives, children, servants, were called after their lord or father. Isaiah 4:1 and 63:19. Jeremiah 7:10.
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Verse 15. Rest, where the temple is built. 2 Chronicles 6:41. Psalms 131:8.
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Verse 16. Words, predictions, as heretofore; or with thy favours.
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Verse 18. Thee. The Jews were more faithful after the captivity. The author seems to beg for the coming of the Messias.
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Verse 19. People, which thou hast prescribed. Numbers 6:24. Calmet.—Direct. Greek “All shall know.”—Art. Greek “Lord art the God of ages.” Bible.—Here the prayer ends. Calmet.—The author continues to instruct. Bible.
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Verse 20. Another. Thus act discreetly in the pursuit of knowledge. The good may be distinguished from bad, as easily as venison can from other meats. Calmet.—As there is a difference of meats, so must discretion be used in words, in the choice of a wife, and so forth Worthington.
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Verse 22. Resist. Greek “requite it,” as it deserves. Bible.
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Verse 23. Man. Yet in marriage the temper of the person is to be considered.
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Verse 24. More. Love is the most violent of all the passions, and nothing can afford greater content than a virtuous and consoling wife. Calmet. 26:21. Calmet.
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Verse 26. Good, is not in Greek, but the context shews that it is necessary. Bible.—By concord small possessions increase, as by discord the greatest are lost. Worthington.
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Verse 27. Want. If he be not so at first, servants will soon ruin his affairs.
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Verse 28. Rest, or abode with his wife and family. The Jews in general married, and such as delayed were deemed suspicious characters. Proverbs 27:8. Calmet.
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The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
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The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
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The ancient authorities read I took them for my inheritance: but the Greek text is here very confused.
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Greek God of the ages.