*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
* Footnote * Genesis 5 : 24
And he walked with God, and was seen no more: because God took him.* Footnote * 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 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.
* Footnote * Genesis 6 : 9
These are the generations of Noe: Noe was a just and perfect man in his generations, he walked with God.* Footnote * 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.* Footnote * 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.*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.
* Footnote * 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.* Footnote * 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 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.
* Footnote * 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.* Footnote * Galatians 3 : 6
As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice.* Footnote ** 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 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.
*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.
*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.
*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.
*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.