HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY ON THE OLD TESTAMENT

WISDOM 15

CHAPTER XV.

Ver. 1. Mercy. The pagans have no real respect for their gods: the fear them not. C. --- But we know that Thou governest all, (H.) and will punish us, if we transgress. C.

Ver. 4. Us. He wrote after the captivity, when the Jews abhorred idolatry, (C.) as they might also do at the beginning of Solomon's reign. H. --- Picture. It is not certain that the art was known in the days of Moses, or that he expressly forbade it. Pliny says it was discovered at Corinth, by making the outlines of a man's shadow on the wall. Afterwards one colour was used, till a variety was found to represent things more perfectly, (L. xxxv. 3. 4.) so as to deceive the senses, for which reason it is styled a fruitless labour. C.

Ver. 10. Clay. In death, those who have trusted in creatures, shall be abandoned by all.

Ver. 11. Worketh. God gives life, and also the rational soul. Gen. ii. 7.

Ver. 12. Evil. This is the maxim of worldlings. C. --- Virtus post nummos. Hor. i. ep. 1. --- Our occupations are like those of children. They presently perish, or we must quit them. S. Chrys. hom. xlvii. ad Pop. --- We must strive to act our part well. Libertines deem this life a comedy, and represent religion as an imposition. C. --- They are like atheists, as they leave the true God, who seek gain by idols. W.

Ver. 14. In their pride, they threaten more than they can perform, (Is. xvi. 6.) or they take images to be gods, which infants only imagine are men, as Lactantius observes, quoting Lucilius,---

Ut pueri infantes credunt signa omnia ahena

Vivere et esse homines. H.

--- Measure. They become insolent, and despise and persecute the servants of God. W.

Ver. 19. Beasts. They are deformed, (H.) and seem to have been cursed by God, like the serpent. Gen. iii. 14. C. --- Fled from. Or "have banished" (Lorin.) God's praise, claiming it for themselves. M.