Sirach · WEB-C
Sirach
44
Bible textSynthetic voice (AI)
Let us now praise famous men, our ancestors in their generations. The Lord created great glory in them— his mighty power from the beginning. Some ruled in their kingdoms and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding. Some have spoken in prophecies, leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their understanding, giving instruction for the people. Their words in their instruction were wise. Some composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing, rich men endowed with ability, living peaceably in their homes. All these were honored in their generations, and were outstanding in their days. Some of them have left a name behind them, so that others declare their praises. But of others, there is no memory. They perished as though they had not been. They become as though they had not been born, they and their children after them. But these were men of mercy, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten. A good inheritance remains with their offspring. Their children are within the covenant. Their offspring stand fast, with their children, for their sakes. Their offspring will remain forever. Their glory won’t be blotted out. Their bodies were buried in peace. Their name lives to all generations. People will declare their wisdom. The congregation proclaims their praise. Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up, an example of repentance to all generations. Noah was found perfect and righteous. In the season of wrath, he kept the race alive. Therefore a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came. Everlasting covenants were made with him, that all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood. Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations. There was none found like him in glory, who kept the law of the Most High, and was taken into covenant with him. In his flesh he established the covenant. When he was tested, he was found faithful. Therefore he assured him by an oath that the nations would be blessed through his offspring, that he would multiply him like the dust of the earth, exalt his offspring like the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the utmost parts of the earth. In Isaac also, he established the same assurance for Abraham his father’s sake, the blessing of all men, and the covenant. He made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessings, gave to him by inheritance, and divided his portions. He distributed them among twelve tribes.
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Notes · Haydock (1859, public domain)20 notes
Notes in English 19th-century Catholic commentary by Fr. George Leo Haydock, shown as published.
These notes keep the polemics of their time: some speak harshly of the Jewish people or of other Christians. The Church teaches otherwise today. The Jewish people may not be blamed for the death of Christ (Nostra Aetate 4; Catechism 597–598), and Christians of other communities are our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Unitatis Redintegratio 3). Christian unity
Sirach 44:1
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.
↑ 1Sirach 44:2
Ver. 2. Glory. Gr. adds, "in them." He was the author of all their virtues, (H.) and has acquired much glory by their means, (C.) among men; though his essential glory can never increase.
↑ 2Sirach 44:3
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.
↑ 3Sirach 44:4
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.
↑ 4Sirach 44:5
Ver. 5. Tunes. The Hebrews, and David in particular, were famous for music. C.
↑ 5Sirach 44:6
Ver. 6. In. Gr. "established in power, living," &c. (H.) like Abraham, Ezechias,
&c. C.
↑ 6Sirach 44:7
Ver. 7. Generations. Lit. "race of their nation. " But this is omitted in Greek.
↑ 7Sirach 44:8
Ver. 8. Born. Gr. "some of them have left a name," (H.) or posterity. Deut. xxv. 6.
↑ 8Sirach 44:9
Ver. 9. Them. This may be understood of the wicked Israelites, or of the sons of Abraham by Agar, &c.
↑ 9Sirach 44:10
Ver. 10. Mercy. Assideans, (1 Par. vi. 41. and 1 Mac. vii. 13.) or true Israelites.
↑ 10Sirach 44:14
Ver. 14. Peace. The Jews were very solicitous about this. Gen. xxxv. 8. C.
↑ 14Sirach 44:16
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 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.
↑ 16Sirach 44:17
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.
↑ 17Sirach 44:20
Ver. 20. Multitude. His name implies as much. C. --- He was father of all who believed in Christ. W.
↑ 20Sirach 44:21
Ver. 21. Faithful. He received the sign of circumcision, and was ready to sacrifice Israel. C.
↑ 21Sirach 44:22
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.
↑ 22Sirach 44:23
Ver. 23. Earth. In Arabia, and from the Red Sea to the Euphrates. This was verified in David.
Ps. lxxi. Gen. xiii. 14.
↑ 23Sirach 44:25
Ver. 25. Jacob. The promises made to Abraham were confirmed to Isaac and Jacob. H. --- These were also blessed in Abraham. W.
↑ 25Sirach 44:26
Ver. 26. Tribes. Giving him so many children, who inherited Chanaan.
↑ 26Sirach 44:27
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.
↑ 27License: Notes by Fr. George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), from the Douay-Rheims Bible with Haydock's commentary (first ed. Thomas Haydock, Manchester/Dublin, 1811–1814; New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1859); New Testament notes compiled with Fr. Benedict Rayment. Public domain. Digital text: "The Haydock Bible", Internet Archive (archive.org/details/TheHaydockBible), uploaded 2011 under the Public Domain Mark. · Credits and licenses