Wisdom
Verse 1. Myself. Solomon acquired wisdom, and all others may do it.
EXPLANATIONS
Wisdom 7
Historical chapter commentary
Wisdom
Verse 6. Out. Augustus asked a little before his death: “Have we acted our part (personæ) well enough?” Suet.—Life is like a stage; before and after which, all are equal.
Wisdom
Verse 7. Wherefore, as I had no advantage over others naturally, I asked for the wisdom requisite to fill so important an office. 3 Kennicott. 9:10. Calmet.—Solomon, whose sayings are here recorded, prayed for wisdom. Worthington.
Wisdom
Verse 8. Preferred. I did not ask for extensive dominions, and so forth Calmet.—In Proverbs 8:10. and so forth as well as here, some things refer to the uncreated, and others to created wisdom. Menochius.
Wisdom
Verse 13. Not. Ecclus. 20:32. Matthew 25:25. Such disinterestedness deserves to be imitated by all the learned. Calmet. 6:25.
Wisdom
Verse 14. God. Coming near to him. Calmet. 6:20 and 1 Corinthians 6:16. The wise do not seek for glory; but it follow them.
Wisdom
Verse 15. Would. With sincerity, and in a sententious and captivating manner. 3 Kennicott. 9:24. Calmet.—Thoughts. Præsumere has this meaning. Bible.—Presumption is far removed from true wisdom. Solomon manifested his greatness of soul by his buildings, and wise regulations.
Wisdom
Verse 18. Times. Or “things.” Saint Ambrose Abr. ii. 7.—Times past, present, and future, (Orig. hom. xxi.) or the three seasons;; autumn, the beginning of the civil year, summer the end, and spring or winter, the middle. Grot.—Their. The “seasons,” as the Greek implies, ( Calmet.) and the vicissitudes of heat and cold. Menochius.
Wisdom
Verse 22. Holy. These are the proper epithets of the spirit of wisdom, ( Worthington.) or of the Holy Ghost. Corn. a Lap. Lorin.—They may also be applicable to the wisdom which resides in man: one, in essence, manifold, in its operations, subtle, knowing all things; (chapter 1:7) eloquent, to persuade; ( Calmet.) Greek, “easily moved, or moving,” ευκινητον, ( Bible.) active. Greek “open ( Calmet.) or entire.”
Wisdom
Verse 24. For wisdom, which is the same with the Spirit, and the Son of God. verse 25.
Wisdom
Verse 25. Glory. As Saint Paul testifies of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:3. Euseb. Demon. Evang. iv. 5.—It may also be understood of the wisdom given to the prophets and saints. verse 27. Plato thought this to be a vapour, or fire proceeding from God. In Protag. Philo. de Som.—Some apply the passage to the blessed Virgin. Corn. a Lap. verse 26. Calmet. See Proverbs 1:2. Worthington.
Wisdom
Verse 26. Goodness. This is particularly noticed, as he speaks of the favours received. It was also an effect of infinite goodness, that the Deity should communicate itself substantially, in the generation of the Son, and the procession of the Holy Ghost. Menochius.
Wisdom
Verse 27. Prophets. No age or nation has been left destitute by God. Among the Gentiles, Job was a saint. Bible.—The philosophers also knew God, (Romans 1:21) and taught many important truths, ( Calmet.) though they erred in other respects, and dishonoured their profession. True religion has always subsisted, and saints, ( Bible.) yea even pagan philosophers, have borne witness to the truth. Clem. Alex. and so forth Calmet.
Wisdom
Verse 30. Evil. Or disgrace. Grot.—The brightest days are succeeded by night. The divine wisdom never fails, though that of man is subject to change, as Solomon has taught us by his own woeful example. Calmet.
Wisdom
Many authorities read a mortal man.
Wisdom
Or, spirits