HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

WISDOM 6

CHAPTER VI.

Ver. 1. Wisdom, &c. This is not in Greek, and seems out of its place, being taken from Prov. xvi. 32. or Eccles. ix. 16. C. --- The connection with the preceding is observable in the next verse. H.

Ver. 2. Kings. The author puts these words in the mouth of Solomon to give them greater weight, (C.) or rather (H.) as the inspiration of God is the most unexceptionable authority, and it would be of no service to introduce a false personage speaking; these nine first chapters were written by Solomon, though the original has since disappeared. This has been the case with respect to the original text of Tobias and Judith, (Houbigant) as well as to that of the many canticles and parables which Solomon wrote. H.

Ver. 4. Power. All power is from God, and to be respected, even though the magistrate should sometimes abuse his authority. W. Rom. xiii. 1. --- They must render an account to the common master. 2 Par. xix. 6.

Ver. 6. Rule. How severely did God chastise Moses, David, and Ezechias.

Ver. 7. Little, and ignorant. Those in power ought to know, and to perform their duty.

Ver. 8. Equally. In proportion to their exigencies, or he punishes all as they deserve. It is not clear that he speaks of grace, as the Pelagians would assert, (C.) abusing this passage. See S. Aug. ep. cvi. or clxxxvii.

Ver. 9. Mighty. This cannot be too often inculcated, (v. 6.) lest the great should forget God and themselves. C. --- Each must render an account of his charge, and be punished accordingly if he offend. S. Greg. hom. ix. Evang. W.

Ver. 10. Kings. Sept. "tyrants." But this title was nor formerly odious.

Ver. 11. Just. Sept. "holy." The Jewish judges were generally priests. --- Answer. The sovereign judge, to whom Job and David confidently appeal.

Ver. 13. Seek her. With the assistance of divine grace. Deut. xxx. 11. Rom. x. 6. The advantages of wisdom invite us to seek her. C.

Ver. 15. Door. Ready to introduce herself. H. Prov. i. 20. and viii. 34. and ix. 1.)

Ver. 16. Think. With eager desire to be guided by her maxims. C.

Ver. 17. Providence. To facilitate our just designs. Prov. ix. M. --- She is on the watch to save us. H.

Ver. 18. Discipline. We must begin with a sincere desire of instruction, and submit to correction, (C.) if we would come near to God, v. 20. H. --- Wisdom is attained by this gradation. W.

Ver. 21. Everlasting is not in Greek. Wisdom conducts to the throne, (v. 22. C.) which shall last for ever. H. --- The sense of the Vulg. is very just. C. v. 17.

Ver. 24. Now. The pagans attributed the invention of wisdom to Socrates, or to Pythagoras. But she proceeds from the bosom of God, and was practised long before their times.

Ver. 25. Envy. I will not imitate such. C. vii. 13. Wisdom ought to be diffused. C.

Ver. 26. World. The wicked is ransomed and healed by the wise. Philo.