Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Ancients. The Essenes (Jos. Bel. i. 7.) and Therapeuts (Philo. Comtemp.) were most famous of all for doing so. In general the Jews despise the learning of foreign nations: but some have applied themselves to it, particularly Philo, Josephus, &chapter 1 Maccabees 1:11 and 2 Maccabees 6:11.—Prophets. These required the utmost study, before the coming of Christ. 1 Peter 1:11. Daniel 9:9. Calmet.—The virtuous must follow both an active and contemplative life. Worthington.
Verse 2. Sayings, or history of Abraham, and so forth—Parables. This was most in vogue. 3 Kennicott. 10.—But mechanics abstained from this study. Calmet. 38:38. Calmet.—To meditate well, 1. knowledge; 2. virtue; 3. humility; and 4. hope, are requisite. Worthington.
Verse 4. Governor or the province or army. The most enlightened were chosen, like Joseph. Daniel 1:4. and so forth
Verse 5. Men. Travelling was very requisite, (Calmet. 34:11) and history records the actions of the bad as well as the good, for the instruction of the public.
Verse 6. Pray. Diligence and prayer are the means to acquire wisdom. Calmet. 4:13.
Verse 9. Lord, being in a sort of rapture, and enlightened by Him.
Verse 13. Generation. With what care de we not preserve the Scripture? and so forth
Verse 15. Thousand. Children or other men.—Rest, in death. Calmet.
Verse 16. With. Greek “as the moon in the first quarter,” διχομηνια. Bible.—The Vulg. has read διχομηνια, “divine transport.” The author declares that he was inspired. Calmet.
Verse 17. By. Greek “Hear me, ye holy children.”—Offspring. Lit. “fruits.” Bible.—He speaks to the children of Israel, the people of God: whom he exhorts to bud forth and flourish with virtue. Challoner.
Verse 19. Bring. Greek “praise a canticle.”
Verse 20. Voice. Greek “songs of your lips, ( Bible.) and with ancient lyres,” and so forth Calmet.
Verse 22. Waters. At the world’s creation, or at the passage of the Israelites. Calmet.
Verse 23. Salvation. None can prevent the salvation of God’s elect. Bible.
Verse 25. Wonderful, or new. Calmet.—The greatest miracles cost him nothing. Bible.
Verse 26. Time. The veil shall be withdrawn, and Providence will appear. Greek “all things are made for their use.”
Verse 28. That. Greek “as he changed the waters into saltness,” ( Bible.) at Sodom, ( Calmet.) “his ways are plain for the saints: so to sinners they are stumbling-blocks.” verse 30. The Red Sea gave a passage to Israel, and overwhelmed the Egyptians. Bible.—Him. God does all with grandeur. He poured his graces upon Israel, and overwhelmed the giants in the deluge. Calmet.
Verse 30. Good and, is omitted in Greek Before the fall, all was happiness. Now, the wicked have still some mixture of good. verse 32. Bossuet.
Verse 31. Water and fire. These are requisite to prepare bread. The Romans refused them to the enemies of the state.—Cluster. Greek “blood,” as Deuteronomy 32:14. Calmet.—God gives the necessaries of life, which the virtuous use well, for their reward; and the wicked ill, to their ruin. Worthington.
Verse 32. Evil. The good or bad use of them decides all. Wisd. 14:11. Romans 8:18. Titus 1:15.
Verse 33. Spirits. Storms (Psalms 10:7 and 148:8) good angels, (Genesis 19:11. Isaiah 37:36) or rather devils: who, though created in holiness, fell, and became executioners of the wicked. Calmet.—They abused their free-will, and are eternally punished. Worthington.
Verse 34. Destruction, and final ruin of the impious, or at the least day. Calmet.—Appease. God is pleased with the execution of justice. Menochius.—Yet the devils cannot obtain a reconciliation; neither do they act to please God, having their wills obstinately bent against his, though they be forced to obey. Bible.
Verse 36. Beasts. Wolves, and so forth with which the country was infested. Deuteronomy 7:22 and 22:24.—Sword. War.
Verse 37. Feast. Greek “rejoice,” as at a feast. Ezekiel 39:16.—Word. They will be ready at the first sign. Calmet.—All creatures, but the rebel angels and man, obey God. Bible.
Verse 38. Resolved. Lit. “confirmed” in this opinion by a divine light. verse 16. 21.
Verse 39. Time. If we receive not at first, we must have patience.
Verse 40. That. Even sin contributes to manifest the justice and mercy of God; and we are not to judge of his works, but to praise him; as every thing is created for wise purposes, and evil proceeds from our abuse of things. Calmet.