Wisdom
Verse 1. Souls. The Egyptians, who were punished with horrible darkness, as they had followed an unjust, dark, and cruel policy against the Hebrews.
EXPLANATIONS
Wisdom 17
Historical chapter commentary
Wisdom
Verse 2. Providence, and day-light, like incorrigible slaves, in prison. Calmet.—The Egyptians were three days in darkness, (Exodus 10:22) and the Gentiles continued without faith in God, till after Christ’s resurrection. Worthington.—Only few served him, before that glorious event.
Wisdom
Verse 3. Sins. This interior darkness was punished with the exterior one. Calmet.—Forgetfulness. Of each other, being concerned only for themselves, ( Bible.) or they seemed to be forgotten by Providence, or buried in Lethean, most dismal obscurity. The interpreter thus mentions Cocytus, without sanctioning poetical fables. Job 21:33. Menochius.—Exceeding. Greek, “spectres.” Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 6. Fire. Like lightning, which would not allow them leisure to distinguish objects. Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 7. Rebuked. Or chastised. Bible.—The magicians could not imitate this miracle, nor secure themselves from its horrors. Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 9. Fear. the Egyptians kept serpents in their houses, and fed them. But now, neglecting to shew this attention, they were affrighted with their hissing.—Air. Or could live. They seemed to wish for death, ( Calmet.) like the damned, but it fled from them. Bible.
Wisdom
Verse 10. Things. The wicked are most cowardly. Calmet.—“Crimes may be safe; they cannot be secure.” Sen. ep. xcvii.
Wisdom
Verse 11. Thought. And giving way to despair, when it is extreme.
Wisdom
Verse 12. Expectation. Or fear. Such an one is filled with a mortal anxiety.
Wisdom
Verse 14. Them. From the sight of spectres, and remorse of conscience.
Wisdom
Verse 15. Irons. Darkness forced them to stay where they were. Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 17. Birds. Nothing can afford comfort to the affrighted. Menochius.