Proverbs 9

Verse 1. House. The sacred humanity, (Saint Ignatius Saint Augustine de Civ. Dei. xvii. 20.) or the Church. Saint Gregory Mor. xxxiii. 15.—Here we may receive all instruction, the seven sacraments, and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Pleasure had mentioned here attractions: now those of true wisdom are set before us. Calmet.—God sent his pastors at all times, to invite people to embrace the latter. They are all included in the number seven, both before and under the law, as well as in the gospel, where Saint Paul styles SS. Peter, James, and John, pillars. Galatians 2. This is the literal sense, on which the mystical is grounded, and both are intended by the Holy Ghost, intimating that the uncreated wisdom took flesh of the blessed Virgin, prepared the table of bread and wine, as Priest according to the order of Melchisedec, and chose the weak of this world to confound the strong, as Saint Augustine explain this passage. Sup. and q. 51. Worthington.

Verse 2. Victims. Moses ordered the blood to be poured out at the door of the tabernacle, and a part given to the priests, after which the rest might be taken away. The like was probably done at Jerusalem. Leviticus 17:4. These victims are contrasted with those of pleasure. chapter 7:14.—Mingled. It was not customary for any but barbarians and the gods to take pure wine. Some mixed two, others three, five, or even twenty parts of water. But the scholiast of Aristophanes says, the best method was to have three parts water, and two of wine. Mercury complains that his wine was half water. Arist. Plut. v. Sun. i.—The Fathers often apply this text to the feast of Jesus Christ in the blessed Eucharist. Calmet.—S. Cyprian (ep. iii.) citeth the whole passage of Christ’s sacrifice in the forms of bread and wine. Worthington.

Verse 3. Maids. Septuagint “servant men,” the pastors of the church, inviting all to piety in so public a manner, that none can plead ignorance. Saint Gregory Calmet.—To invite. Prot. “she crieth upon the highest places of the city.” Bible.—Christ enjoins his apostles to preach on the roofs. Matthew 10:37.

Verse 4. One. Simple, but not inconstant, like children. 1 Corinthians 14:20. Pleasure addresses the same, (chapter 7:7) but for their destruction. Calmet.

Verse 7. Scorner. This is the reason why wisdom speaks only to the simple. The conceited would only laugh at her instructions. These scoffers represent heretics and libertines. chapter 1:22. Calmet.—Where there is no hope of amendment, prudence and charity require us to be silent, as our rebukes would only procure us enmity, and make the sinner worse. Worthington.—Of such Saint John was afraid, and therefore ceased from writing. 3 John 9. Yet Saint Paul commands public reprehension. 1 Timothy 5:20. Menochius.—When there is any prospect of good, all, particularly superiors, are bound to correct. Saint Augustine de Civ. Dei. i. 9.; and S. Bas. reg. fus. 158. Worthington.

Verse 9. Occasion. This word is found in Septuagint Syr. and Arab. We might supply instruction, ( Calmet.) with Prot.

Verse 10. Prudence. Or “prudence is the science of the saints,” ( Bible.) directing what to choose on all occasions to obtain heaven. Calmet.—The knowledge contained in the holy Scriptures, and possessed by the saints, is superior to all other sciences. Menochius.

Verse 13. And full. Prot. “she is simple and knoweth nothing.” Septuagint “is in want of a piece of bread.” They have several verses before this, which are here omitted. Bible.—Wisdom and pleasure are opposed to each other. Calmet.

Verse 17. Pleasant. Impure pleasures are more delightful ( Calmet.) to sensual men. Bible.—The prohibition increases appetite. Menochius.

Verse 18. Giants. Who lived when all flesh had corrupted its ways, (Genesis 6:12) and were sentenced to hell. Job 26:5. Isaiah 14:9. Calmet.

Sheol is the place of the dead.