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44:1 [Laudemus viros gloriosos, et parentes nostros in generatione sua.
*H Let us now praise men of renown and our fathers in their generation.


Ver. 1. Gr. prefixes, "A Hymn of the Fathers." The author here imitates the third work of Solomon. H. — He had given rules for all virtues; and he now sets before us those who had put them in practice. C. — It was the custom to sound forth the praises of these fathers in the temple and synagogues. v. 15. Grot.

Αἰνέσωμεν δὴ ἄνδρας ἐνδόξους, καὶ τοὺς πατέρας ἡμῶν τῇ γενέσει.
44:2 Multam gloriam fecit Dominus : magnificentia sua a saeculo.
*H The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.


Ver. 2. Glory. Gr. adds, "in them." He was the author of all their virtue, (H.) and has acquired much glory by their means, (C.) among men; though his essential glory can never increase.

Πολλὴν δόξαν ἔκτισεν ὁ Κύριος, τὴν μεγαλωσύνην αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ αἰῶνος.
44:3 Dominantes in potestatibus suis, homines magni virtute et prudentia sua praediti, nuntiantes in prophetis dignitatem prophetarum :
*H Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,


Ver. 3. In the. Gr. "futurity by their predictions." Kings, judges, and prophets are praised. H. — The virtuous are justly styled kings. Gen. xxiii. W.

Κυριεύοντες ἐν ταῖς βασιλείαις αὐτῶν, καὶ ἄνδρες ὀνομαστοὶ ἐν δυνάμει· βουλεύσονται ἐν συνέσει αὐτῶν, ἀπηγγελκότες ἐν προφητείαις·
44:4 et imperantes in praesenti populo, et virtute prudentiae populis sanctissima verba :
*H And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.


Ver. 4. The present. Gr. "the people by counsels, and by the knowledge of the office of scribes of the people. Wise in speech by their instruction. (5.) Seeking out," &c. H. — Prudence and eloquence ought to appear in a ruler.

ἡγούμενοι λαοῦ ἐν διαβουλίοις, καὶ συνέσει γραμματείας λαοῦ· σοφοὶ λόγοι ἐν παιδείᾳ αὐτῶν·
44:5 in peritia sua requirentes modos musicos, et narrantes carmina Scripturarum :
*H Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.


Ver. 5. Tunes. The Hebrews, and David in particular, were famous for music. C.

ἐκζητοῦντες μέλη μουσικῶν, διηγούμενοι ἔπη ἐν γραφῇ·
44:6 homines divites in virtute, pulchritudinis studium habentes, pacificantes in domibus suis.
*H Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.


Ver. 6. In. Gr. "established in power, living," &c. (H.) like Abraham, Ezechias, &c. C.

ἄνδρες πλούσιοι κεχορηγημένοι ἰσχύϊ, εἰρηνεύοντες ἐν παροικίαις αὐτῶν·
44:7 Omnes isti in generationibus gentis suae gloriam adepti sunt, et in diebus suis habentur in laudibus.
*H All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.


Ver. 7. Generations. Lit. "races of their nation." But this is omitted in Greek.

πάντες οὗτοι ἐν γενεαῖς ἐδοξάσθησαν, καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτῶν καύχημα.
44:8 Qui de illis nati sunt reliquerunt nomen narrandi laudes eorum.
*H They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:


Ver. 8. Born. Gr. "some of them have left a name," (H.) or posterity. Deut. xxv. 6.

Εἰσὶν αὐτῶν οἳ κατέλιπον ὄνομα τοῦ ἐκδιηγήσασθαι ἐπαίνους·
44:9 Et sunt quorum non est memoria : perierunt quasi qui non fuerint : et nati sunt quasi non nati, et filii ipsorum cum ipsis.
*H And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.


Ver. 9. Them. This may be understood of the wicked Israelites, or of the sons of Abraham by Agar, &c.

καὶ εἰσὶν ὧν οὐκ ἔστι μνημόσυνον, καὶ ἀπώλοντο ὡς οὐχ ὑπάρξαντες, καὶ ἐγένοντο ὡς οὐ γεγονότες, καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν μετʼ αὐτούς.
44:10 Sed illi viri misericordiae sunt, quorum pietates non defuerunt.
*H But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:


Ver. 10. Mercy. Assideans, (1 Par. vi. 41. and 1 Mac. vii. 13.) or true Israelites.

Ἀλλʼ ἢ οὗτοι ἄνδρες ἐλέους, ὧν αἱ δικαιοσύναι οὐκ ἐπελήσθησαν.
44:11 Cum semine eorum permanent bona :
Good things continue with their seed,
Μετὰ τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτῶν διαμενεῖ ἀγαθὴ κληρονομία, ἔκγονα αὐτῶν ἐν ταῖς διαθήκαις.
44:12 haereditas sancta nepotes eorum, et in testamentis stetit semen eorum :
Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.
Ἔστη σπέρμα αὐτῶν καὶ τέκνα αὐτῶν διʼ αὐτούς·
44:13 et filii eorum propter illos usque in aeternum manent : semen eorum et gloria eorum non derelinquetur.
And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
ἕως αἰῶνος μενεῖ σπέρμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἡ δόξα αὐτῶν οὐκ. ἐξαλειφθήσεται.
44:14 Corpora ipsorum in pace sepulta sunt, et nomen eorum vivit in generationem et generationem.
*H Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.


Ver. 14. Peace. The Jews were very solicitous about this. Gen. xxxv. 8. C.

Τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἐτάφη, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῶν ζῇ εἰς γενεάς.
44:15 Sapientiam ipsorum narrent populi, et laudem eorum nuntiet ecclesia.]
Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
Σοφίαν αὐτῶν διηγήσονται λαοὶ, καὶ τὸν ἔπαινον ἐξαγγέλλει ἐκκλησία.
44:16 [Enoch placuit Deo, et translatus est in paradisum, ut det gentibus poenitentiam.
* Footnotes
  • * Genesis 5:24
    And he walked with God, and was seen no more: because God took him.
  • * Hebrews 11:5
    By faith Henoch was translated that he should not see death: and he was not found because God had translated him. For before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God.
*H Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.


Ver. 16. Into. Gr. "a model of penance to past or future generations." H. — The Latin fathers suppose that Henoch was translated to heaven, or to the earthly paradise. It is the tradition both of Jews and of Christians that he is still alive, and will come to oppose Antichrist, (Apoc. xi. 3. Gen. v. 22. Heb. xi. 5. C.) when he will preach penance, (W.) chiefly to the Gentiles, while Elias will address himself to the Jews. H.

Ἐνὼχ εὐηρέστησε Κυρίῳ, καὶ μετετέθη ὑπόδειγμα μετανοίας ταῖς γενεαῖς.
44:17 Noe inventus est perfectus, justus, et in tempore iracundiae factus est reconciliatio.
* Footnotes
  • * Genesis 6:9
    These are the generations of Noe: Noe was a just and perfect man in his generations, he walked with God.
*H Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.


Ver. 17. A. Gr. "an exchange," to save mankind. Gen. vi. 8. and viii. 21. C. — Noe was perfect, (W.) which does not exclude some human failings. H.

Νῶε εὑρέθη τέλειος δίκαιος, ἐν καιρῷ ὀργῆς ἐγένετο ἀντάλλαγμα· διὰ τοῦτο ἐγενήθη κατάλειμμα τῇ γῇ, διὰ τοῦτο ἐγένετο κατακλυσμός.
44:18 Ideo dimissum est reliquum terrae, cum factum est diluvium.
Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.
Διαθῆκαι αἰῶνος ἐτέθησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἵνα μὴ ἐξαλειφθῇ κατακλυσμῷ πᾶσα σάρξ.
44:19 Testamenta saeculi posita sunt apud illum, ne deleri possit diluvio omnis caro.]
* Footnotes
  • * Genesis 9:11
    I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall be no more destroyed with the waters of a flood, neither shall there be from henceforth a flood to waste the earth.
  • * Hebrews 11:7
    By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house: by the which he condemned the world and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.
The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.
Ἁβραὰμ μέγας πατὴρ πλήθους ἐθνῶν, καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη ὅμοιος ἐν τῇ δόξῃ,
44:20 [Abraham magnus pater multitudinis gentium, et non est inventus similis illi in gloria : qui conservavit legem Excelsi, et fuit in testamento cum illo.
* Footnotes
  • * Genesis 12:2
    And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed.
  • * Genesis 17:4
    And God said to him: I am, and my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
*H Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.


Ver. 20. Multitude. His name implies as much. C. — He was father of all who believed in Christ. W.

ὃς συνετήρησε νόμον ὑψίστου, καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν διαθήκῃ μετʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐν σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ ἔστησε διαθήκην, καὶ ἐν πειρασμῷ εὑρέθη πιστός.
44:21 In carne ejus stare fecit testamentum, et in tentatione inventus est fidelis.
* Footnotes
  • * Genesis 17:10
    This is my covenant which you shall observe between me and you, and thy seed after thee: All the male-kind of you shall be circumcised.
  • * Galatians 3:6
    As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice.
  • ** Genesis 22:2
    He said to him: Take thy only begotten son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and go into the land of vision; and there thou shalt offer him for an holocaust upon one of the mountains which I will shew thee.
*H In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.


Ver. 21. Faithful. He received the sign of circumcision, and was ready to sacrifice Israel. C.

Διὰ τοῦτο ἐν ὅρκῳ ἔστησεν αὐτῷ, ἐνευλογηθῆναι ἔθνη ἐν τῷ σπέρματι αὐτοῦ, πληθύναι αὐτὸν ὡς χοῦν τῆς γῆς, καὶ ὡς ἄστρα ἀνυψῶσαι τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατακληρονομῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ἕως θαλάσσης, καὶ ἀπὸ ποταμοῦ ἕως ἄκρου γῆς.
44:22 Ideo jurejurando dedit illi gloriam in gente sua, crescere illum quasi terrae cumulum,
*H Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,


Ver. 22. In his. Gr. "that the nations should be blessed in his posterity." — Dust. Lit. "a heap." H. Gen. xii. 2. and xxii. 17.

Καὶ ἐν τῷ Ἰσαὰκ ἔστησεν οὕτως διὰ Ἁβραὰμ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ, εὐλογίαν πάντων ἀνθρώπων καὶ διαθήκην.
44:23 et ut stellas exaltare semen ejus, et haereditare illos a mari usque ad mare, et a flumine usque ad terminos terrae.
*H And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.


Ver. 23. Earth. In Arabia, and from the Red Sea to the Euphrates. This was verified in David. Ps. lxxi. Gen. xiii. 14.

Καὶ κατέπαυσεν ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν Ἰακώβ· ἐπέγνω αὐτὸν ἐν εὐλογίαις αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ἐν κληρονομίᾳ· καὶ διέστειλε μερίδας αὐτοῦ, ἐν φυλαῖς ἐμέρισε δεκαδύο.
44:24 Et in Isaac eodem modo fecit, propter Abraham patrem ejus.
And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.
44:25 Benedictionem omnium gentium dedit illi Dominus, et testamentum confirmavit super caput Jacob.
*H The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.


Ver. 25. Jacob. The promises made to Abraham were confirmed to Isaac and Jacob. H. — These were also blessed in Abraham. W.

44:26 Agnovit eum in benedictionibus suis, et dedit illi haereditatem, et divisit illi partem in tribubus duodecim.
*H He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.


Ver. 26. Tribes. Giving him so many children, who inherited Chanaan.

44:27 Et conservavit illi homines misericordiae, invenientes gratiam in oculis omnis carnis.]
*H And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.


Ver. 27. Men. The Israelites. v. 10. Gr. "the man," Joseph; though the Gr. of the Rom. edit. would refer it to Moses. C. — Grabe corrects his copy agreeably to the Vulg. H.

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