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Verse 1. Honour and pay. Proverbs 8:9. Calmet.—Greek adds, “with his fees.” Bible.—The health of body and soul must be regarded. Worthington.
EXPLANATIONS
Sirach 38
Historical chapter commentary
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Verse 2. King. Physicians were formerly kept at the king’s expense. Pliny xxix. 1.
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Verse 4. Them, as he will all superstitious remedies. Calmet.—“A crowd of physicians killed Cæsar,” said Adrian, on his death-bed. They often try experiments, and kill with impunity. Pliny xxix. 1.—Yet we must not condemn the prudent use of medicine. Calmet.
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Verse 5. Wood, of various sorts. Grot.—Many suppose that he alludes to the miracle of Moses, (Exodus 15:25) who thus was supernaturally informed ( Calmet.) of the effects of a certain wood. Tirinus. Menochius. Saint Augustine q. lvii. in Ex.
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Verse 6. The. Greek “that his or its virtue might be known by man.”
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Verse 7. These plants.—And of. Greek “Of these the maker of ointments shall compose a mixture and his works are not yet finished, when peace (health) from him appears on the face of the earth.” Bible.—Disease flee before him; so powerful are his medicines, that the very smell effects a cure.
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Verse 9. Thee. We must neither trust too much in physicians, (2 Chronicles 16:12) nor despise them, as this would be tempting God.
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Verse 10. Sin. All diseases are in consequence of original sin, and may are inflicted for actual transgressions. John 9:2 and 1 Corinthians 11:30. Numbers 12:10. Calmet.
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Verse 11. Then. Greek “as being no longer. Yet give,” and so forth Bible.—Be converted and offer sacrifice, as if there were no hopes of life. Still do not despair. Calmet.
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Verse 13. Thou. Greek “a sweet smell (success) shall be in their hands.” Bible.
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Verse 15. Physician. This state is very troublesome, and a punishment of sin. verse 10.
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Verse 16. Burial. Thus we must shew our respect for the deceased. The Jews also prayed for them. 2 Maccabees 12:42. Calmet.—“The care … and pomp of funerals are rather the consolations of survivors than of service to the dead.” Saint Augustine cura 2.
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Verse 17. For. Greek “and shed burning tears of mourning, (18) and lament for,” and so forth Bible.—Sorrow would be unsuitable for the saints, and useless for the damned, who being rebellious to God do not deserve our lamentations. Yet nature dictates, and people expect we should allow something to the first emotions of sorrow, ( Calmet.) for a day or two; and we may receive the consolatory visits of our friends, during the seven days of mourning. Calmet. 22:13. John 11:19. S. Paulin. ad Pam.—To avoid the evil reports of men, we must shew ourselves to be really sorry; yet we must not suffer grief to hurt our health. Worthington.
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Verse 19. And the, and so forth is not in Greek. Excessive sorrow brings on sickness, and renders us unfit for any thing.
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Verse 20. Aside, in solitude.—Substance; or what the poor has to live on, will seem sweet or bitter according as he is affected with joy or grief.
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Verse 21. End. This is the chief utility derived from attending funerals.
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Verse 23. Thee. A man on his death-bed, or already dead, is introduced speaking. Calmet.
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Verse 24. Him. Greek “thyself.” He is at rest, we hope; ( Bible.) be thou so too. Calmet.
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Verse 25. A scribe; that is, a doctor of the law, or a learned man. Challoner.—Sorrow ( Bible.) and too much employment, are injurious to learning. Calmet.—Sapientiæ otia negotia sunt. Saint Bernard ser. 85. Cant.—When pastors have leisure, they would do well to write, in imitation of Saint Paul, and so forth Worthington.
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Verse 28. Work: engraving on gold, or silver, or on precious stones.
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Verse 29. Sitting. Such was the ancient custom of smiths, ( Calmet.) who carried all their implements with them, and laboured with much pain. Chardin.
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Verse 34. Glazing. The earthen vessel would otherwise spoil all but oil and water. Calmet.
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Verse 37. Dwell. Greek “travel,” to get a livelihood, (Grot.) or to acquire wisdom, (Calmet. 34:9 and 39:5) and walk about like the ancient philosophers. They shall not be chosen magistrates. Calmet.
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Verse 38. Spoken. They have not leisure to attend the lectures of sages; ( Bible.) nor are they ever quoted by them.
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Verse 39. World, giving children to the commonwealth, ( Menochius.) and employing themselves in useful arts. The Jews would not allow magicians, players, and so forth to reside in their country.—Craft. They pray that they may succeed in their employment, while some also strive to comply with their religious duties. Calmet.—Applying. Greek refers this to the following chapter, “As for him who applies his soul and meditates on the law of the Most High, he will,” and so forth Bible.